Undrafted Diego Pavia gets Baltimore Ravens rookie minicamp tryout: reports

Diego Pavia, the former Vanderbilt quarterback who finished second in the Heisman voting last season, has reportedly found a home in the NFL after going undrafted this weekend.

Pavia accepted an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens' rookie minicamp on a tryout, according to multiple reports. He doesn't have a roster spot yet, but it's a start as he looks to make it to the NFL with Baltimore.

Yes, Lamar Jackson, the two-time MVP quarterback, has been cemented as the team's starter, but maybe Pavia can stand out enough in rookie minicamp to earn an invite to training camp this summer.

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Pavia didn't expect to be drafted this weekend, but he became the first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 to hear his name called in seven rounds in Pittsburgh.

Pavia won the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award for the best upperclassman quarterback after throwing for 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, both single-season school records, to give the Commodores their first 10-win season.

Vanderbilt just missed the College Football Playoff after finishing 10-3.

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Pavia ended up finishing second in Heisman voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza – the No. 1 pick in this year's draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. So, what ultimately led to Pavia being undrafted?

While his personality may have been included, Pavia's official elevation at the NFL Scouting Combine turned some heads. Vanderbilt listed him at 6-foot, but he measured in at 5-foot-9 7/8, which would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL if he stepped on the gridiron today. The average height is 6-foot-2 for an NFL quarterback.

However, those shorter than average have seen success, including Minnesota Vikings rookie Kyler Murray, who went to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 out of Oklahoma. He is listed at 5-foot-10.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia celebrates after the team's win against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 22, 2025. (Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Pavia blasted critics during the Senior Bowl in January about his height.

“Yeah, my size has been in doubt my whole life,” he said at the time, via AL.com. “I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is whether you can win, and I consider myself a winner. I've been fortunate with all these great teams that I've been on — we've never had a losing season. So that's something I have to look forward to, hopefully, throughout my career, that's how it's going to be.

“I feel that God has blessed me in many ways to be a connector, and I feel like that's one of my biggest strengths that I have – I can connect. We bond, and when you get together, you want to play with each other, and when you give 120% effort, no one can stop your team.”

Pavia's personality, considered by some to be more servile than self-confident, may also have had an impact. After finishing second to Mendoza in the Heisman voting, Pavia was spotted at a New York City nightclub next to a sign that read, “F— Indiana.” He then posted a photo on social media with friends and a caption that read, “F— ALL THE VOTERS, BUT…FAMILY FOR LIFE.”

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws a football during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Images)

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Pavia later apologized for his decision to post that on social media.

Either way, Pavia has a shot now with the Ravens and new head coach Jesse Minter, as he aims to prove enough to join the quarterbacks in training camp. Besides Jackson, the Ravens have Tyler “Snoop” Huntley on the roster to start the season.

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