2025 Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia was not selected in this weekend’s draft due to concerns about his size and arm strength translating to the next level. Now, he will get his shot in the NFL after accepting an invite to the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp next weekend, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Pavia was incredibly productive at Vanderbilt last year, averaging 271.5 passing yards and 66.3 rushing yards per game with 39 total touchdowns. He earned the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as college football’s best quarterback as well as first-team All-SEC and SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors.
However, the Commodores’ offense highlighted Pavia’s strengths and hid his weaknesses by using RPOs and getting him on the move. His 5-foot-10 height – which is in the first percentile among NFL QBs – and limited arm talent are a poor fit for NFL offenses that require their passers to see and target the entire field from the pocket. Pavia’s playmaking ability is also more a result of his toughness and short-area burst than his long speed and skills as a ballcarrier.
In Baltimore, Pavia will first need to earn himself a spot on the 90-man offseason roster. Currently, the Ravens only have Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley under contract, so they need to find a No. 3 QB for the season. They also invited UConn’s Joey Fagnano to their rookie camp, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, and there are a number of veteran arms they could bring in as well.
This story will be updated with more information.
