After becoming one of the biggest losers of the 2026 NFL draft, Diego Pavia found a way to enter the league. The Commodores Vanderbilt product received an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens’ minicamp. It wasn’t clear what could come out of that opportunity, but the Ravens made a quick decision on Pavia.
They signed the Heisman award finalist to a three-year deal on Tuesday.
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The news drew a strong reaction from former NFL coach Jon Gruden. He wrote a five-word message for Pavia.
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“Congrats, Diego!! It’s go time!” Gruden wrote.
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After spending the first two seasons of his college career with New Mexico State, Pavia transferred to Vanderbilt. He finished the 2025 campaign going 267 of 378 for 3,589 yards and 29 touchdowns with eight interceptions. His height seemingly became an issue for NFL teams, while others said that his personality might have hurt his draft stock.
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Dan Patrick gave Diego Pavia a reality check before Ravens signed him
In the wake of his slide in the 2026, Dan Patrick sent a long message to Pavia, trying to explain what led NFL franchises to pass up on him during the draft.
“The message from the NFL is really clear – ‘if you’re not a can’t-miss prospect, professionalism is not just valued, it’s required,’ and that hurt Diego Pavia… He’s not Doug Flutie. Flutie was 5’9’’, Heisman Trophy winner, but he was the ideal personality to be a backup quarterback and ready to come in when needed.”
“Teams are not buying that. Teams didn’t buy Shedeur Sanders. He came in, he didn’t interview well, he seemed entitled and teams were like, ‘you’re not a can’t miss prospect.’
He added:
“These guys have been pampered all their life because they’ve been the star. Now you’re going to be a backup. You don’t want to see me, you don’t want to hear from me. You just want me to help the starting quarterback and that was the brutal reality that Diego Pavia was handed…”
The Ravens took a gamble on him. However, he needs to change his mindset if he wants to have a long career in the NFL.
Edited by Orlando Silva
