Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was hoping to be selected inthe 2026 NFL Draft, but he wasn't one of the10 quarterbackschosen overthe 257 picks.
Now, the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up is simply looking for an opportunity to get his NFL career off the ground.
Pavia still has yet to sign as anundrafted free agent. Concerns about the 5-10, 207-poundquarterback's sizecontinue to plague him, but he will get a chance to prove himself afteraccepting an invite to the Baltimore Ravens' rookie minicamp.
NFL UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS:Tracking signings for all 32 teams
Will Pavia be able to parlay that opportunity into a contract? Here's what to know about what's next for the former Vanderbilt quarterback as he looks to carve out a professional football career.
101. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
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102. Buffalo Bills: OT Jude Bowry, Boston College
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103. New York Jets: DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
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104. Arizona Cardinals: DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
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105. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
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106. Houston Texans: G Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma
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107. San Francisco 49ers: DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
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108. Denver Broncos: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
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109. Denver Broncos: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
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110. New York Jets: QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
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111. Denver Broncos: OL Kage Casey, Boise State
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112. Dallas Cowboys: OT Drew Shelton, Penn State
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113. Indianapolis Colts: G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
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114. Dallas Cowboys: CB Devin Moore, Florida
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115. Baltimore Ravens: WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
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116. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Keionte Scott, Miami (FL)
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117. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Travis Burke, Memphis
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118. Detroit Lions: LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
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119. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Wesley Williams, Duke
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All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
101. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
What's next for Diego Pavia?
Below is a look at some of the opportunities Pavia will have after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens
Pavia will get a chance to stake his claim to a potential NFL opportunity atBaltimore Ravensrookie minicamp. The Heisman Trophy runner-up accepted an invite from the organization, according to multiple reports.
The Ravens presently have just two quarterbacks on their 90-man roster,Lamar JacksonandTyler Huntley. Baltimore will almost certainly sign a third at some point during the offseason, so Pavia will have a chance to prove he deserves a shot to occupy that role during the team's rookie minicamp.
While the Ravens did not draft a rookie quarterback or sign one as an undrafted free agent, Pavia will have competition at Baltimore's rookie minicamp, which will open May 1. Joe Fagnano, an undrafted free agent from UConn, will also attend the event, according to multiple reports.
It isn't clear whether any additional quarterbacks will be joining the battle, as the team hasn't announced its full list of rookie minicamp invitees.
If Pavia impresses during the three-day event, there's a chance he could ink a contract with the Ravens. And helping his cause will be the fact that Ravens coach Jesse Minter spent the 2021 season working with Clark Lea – Pavia's college coach at Vanderbilt – as the Commodores' defensive coordinator.
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CFL or UFL contracts
If Pavia can't land a contract with the Ravens – or another NFL team – he will face a critical decision about whether he wants to continue his future in football.
Should Pavia continue playing outside of the NFL, the Canadian Football League (CFL) andUnited Football League (UFL)would be the most logical landing spots for the 24-year-old.
If Pavia decided to play in the CFL, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would control his fate. Why? The CFL allows each of its nine teams to retain the rights to up to 45 players who are not currently in the league as part of a "negotiation list." Pavia is currently on Winnipeg's negotiation list along with quarterbacks like Haynes King and Mark Gronowski, among others.
The Blue Bombers already have five quarterbacks on their roster, including veteran Zach Collaros and former UFL MVP Bryce Perkins. They could add Pavia to the mix as a potential successor to Collaros, who is 37, but could also trade his rights to another quarterback-needy team if they so desire.
Pavia would have more options if he headed to the UFL. Givennew owner Mike Repole's emphasis on regional allocation of college stars, the Louisville Kings – located just under 175 miles away from Nashville, where Pavia played for Vanderbilt across his final two college seasons – could be the logical fit for him.
PAT MCAFEE:Diego Pavia is the UFL 'QB blueprint,' after QB's NFL draft snub
Either way, the CFL and UFL will only be options if Pavia cannot capitalize on an NFL opportunity.
A future in WWE?
It's also possible Pavia could turn away from football altogether if he doesn't get the NFL opportunity he desires.
USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendozamade the case for Pavia to become a professional wrestler, arguing the Vanderbilt quarterback'soutburst after finishing second in the 2025 Heisman Trophy votingshowed his skills as a potential WWE heel.
WWE has released many notable wrestlersin the aftermath of WrestleMania, so there are some spots open in the organization's roster. And WWE has enjoyed success with its "next in line" program – which has helped college athletes including Oba Femi, Sol Ruca and Bron Breakker transition into the sport – so perhaps they will see similar upside in targeting Pavia.
But would Pavia take the WWE route? He did beef with Grayson Waller during the wrestler's match with Rey Mysterio at the WWE Live Holiday Tour ahead of Vanderbilt's ReliaQuest Bowl matchup with Iowa in December.
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