Diego Pavia breaks silence after NFL Draft, backtracks immediately

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Apr 27, 2026 - 03:30
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Diego Pavia breaks silence after NFL Draft, backtracks immediately

The NFL delivered a record-setting 2026 NFL Draft this past week, packed with big moments, blockbuster trades, and life-changing selections.

The draft also produced several disappointments. Diego Pavia, a quarterback from Vanderbilt Commodores football, went unselected after three days.

Teams had already viewed Pavia as an unlikely pick. Many cited his short stature and off-field perception as concerns.

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After going undrafted, Pavia addressed the situation. In a since-deleted Instagram post, he wrote, “F*** the NFL, I write my own path.”

That reaction likely won’t sit well with teams, even though he deleted the post. The former Heisman finalist remained a polarizing figure throughout the draft process.

Reports also noted that Pavia entered the draft without an agent. Despite those concerns, he still showed upside.

MORE: Diego Pavia gets eviscerated with memes after disappointing 2026 NFL Draft

Pavia transformed the program at Vanderbilt. He helped make the team competitive and shifted its trajectory.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) poses as the Heisman trophy after winning a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 29, 2025.

His performance earned him a spot as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, though he faced long odds to win. His reaction after losing further fueled questions about his draft stock.

After the Heisman results, Pavia posted a photo criticizing voters. He was later seen partying with a sign that used vulgar language toward Indiana Hoosiers football, the winner’s school.

MORE: Deion Sanders reacts to Diego Pavia going undrafted in 2026 NFL Draft

Combined with his unconventional size and a poor showing at the Senior Bowl, those incidents caused his draft chances to fade.

Dec 13, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia speaks to the media during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the presentation of the Heisman trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Still, reports indicate that Pavia has received a rookie minicamp invite from the Baltimore Ravens. The invitation gives him a chance to prove he belongs on an NFL roster.

In the end, Pavia may regret how he handled parts of the draft process, including his reaction to going undrafted.

The question now: will he earn a contract with an NFL team?

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