Diego Pavia, the former Vanderbilt quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, making history as the first finalist to not be selected since 2014. Despite a confident pre-draft stance and a successful collegiate career, including an SEC Newcomer of the Year accolade and leading Vanderbilt to a 10-win season, Pavia's off-field controversies and physical size may have hindered his selection. He held a draft party anticipating a call, but ultimately he went unpicked, leaving him searching for an NFL opportunity.

By the Numbers
  • Pavia is the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014.
  • He is also the first Heisman runner-up to go undrafted since Brad Banks in 2003.
Yes, But

Pavia's confidence often came off as overconfidence, which may have turned off some NFL teams. His controversial remarks after the Heisman ceremony and close ties to Johnny Manziel could also have affected perceptions. Pavia's performance may not have outweighed these factors in teams’ evaluations.

State of Play
  • Pavia's measurement of under 5-foot-10 at the Senior Bowl raised concerns about his size for the NFL quarterback position.
  • Despite his accolades, Pavia remains without an NFL contract following the draft.
What's Next

There’s potential for Pavia to sign as an undrafted free agent, but his future in the NFL depends on overcoming doubts about his size and attitude. He must find a team willing to take a chance on his talent and confidence.

Bottom Line

Despite his achievements and self-belief, Pavia’s undrafted status highlights the importance of not just talent but also public perception and team fit in the NFL, indicating that confidence alone doesn’t guarantee success.