Diego Pavia’s longshot NFL dreams may officially be over

Diego Pavia’s remarkable college career wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in the 2026 NFL Draft, and now his path to the league has become even more difficult.

NFL insider Adam Schefter reportedThursday that they have waived Pavia ahead of training camp, ending his first opportunity to establish himself at the professional level. After signing with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent and competing for the team’s QB3 job, Pavia is once again searching for an NFL opportunity. It’s a disappointing development for one of college football’s biggest stars from a season ago.

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A Historic Final Season at Vanderbilt

Pavia left Vanderbilt following one of the most impressive individual campaigns in the country.

The dual-threat quarterback threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns while adding 826 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, showcasing his ability to beat defenses with both his arm and his legs. His versatility separated him from every other quarterback in the nation, as he became the only FBS player to surpass 4,000 total yards during the 2025 season.

The accolades quickly followed. Pavia was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, and captured the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, recognizing the nation’s top quarterback.

Despite all of those accomplishments, NFL teams remained hesitant.

Draft Day Was the First Sign

Throughout the pre-draft process, questions surrounding Pavia’s size—particularly his height—became a recurring topic among evaluators.

Those concerns ultimately proved costly. When the 2026 NFL Draft concluded, Pavia was still waiting for his phone to ring.

The Ravens eventually gave him an opportunity, signing him to a three-year contract as an undrafted free agent, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal gave him a chance to compete for a developmental quarterback role, but it also underscored how differently NFL teams viewed him compared to his decorated college résumé.

Another Uphill Climb

Now, that opportunity has come to an abrupt end. Being waived before training camp doesn’t necessarily close the door on Pavia’s professional career, but it does make his road back to an NFL roster considerably steeper.

Quarterbacks are released and signed throughout the season as injuries occur, and another team could decide to bring him in for a workout. However, he’ll now have to convince another organization that his production at Vanderbilt can translate to the professional game.

After going undrafted, signing as a free agent, and now being released before training camp, Pavia’s dream of becoming an NFL quarterback faces its biggest challenge yet. While another opportunity could still emerge, the latest move by the Ravens is a reminder of just how difficult it is to make an NFL roster—even for one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football.

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