The long-awaited 2026 NFL Draft has wrapped up, but the Heisman Trophy runner-up, Diego Pavia, is still on the board. The Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback has not been selected by any franchise through the first seven rounds. While he still awaits, a former Heisman analyst broke his silence on Pavia's fate.

The Vanderbilt quarterback becomes the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014. It led Tyrann Mathieu, the former Heisman Trophy finalist, to share his thoughts on why the Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback did not get selected in this year’s NFL Draft. 

“No, I think he's just a little bit sidetracked,” said Mathieu on the In The Bayou podcast. “He’d be on too many podcasts for me, too many UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fights, hanging out, that’s just not what people want to see at the next level.” 

Back in December, Pavia had yet to learn about his fate in the Heisman. It was the same time when Vanderbilt was awaiting an answer on their College Football Playoff inclusion. Amid such a crucial time, Pavia went to Las Vegas with some of his offensive linemen to attend UFC 323.

Then, after missing the Heisman, Pavia took to social media and posted a picture with his offensive line with an inappropriate caption. Again, during the combine, his confidence landed him in trouble.

“One thing about me is I don’t care what people think about me," he told the reporters.

Pavia played a key role in revitalizing Vanderbilt, guiding the program from a two-win season in 2023 to seven wins in 2024 and a 10-3 season last year. But Mathieu emphasized that his off-the-field conduct ultimately caused problems.

“I think you got a lot of cleaning up to do if he wants to go to the next level. I do think he’s an awesome athlete," said Mathieu, who finished fifth in Heisman voting back in 2011. "But at some point, man, it’s just got to balance it all out.” 

Even though Pavia did not hear his name being called out in the seven rounds, he now accepted an invitation to attend a mini camp to pitch himself.

The Baltimore Ravens Are Taking a Chance on Diego Pavia

As reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Pavia has accepted an invitation from the Baltimore Ravens to attend their rookie minicamp.

However, this is not a guaranteed roster spot, as Pavia will have to compete for it as the third quarterback on the Ravens' roster.

The Ravens’ quarterback room features Lamar Jackson and experienced backup Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, leaving little room at the top. Pavia is widely viewed as a backup option in the NFL. But turns out that the Vanderbilt quarterback is not seeing himself as a backup.

“I talked to coaches and executives who said they asked him that: ‘What would it be like, for the first time in your life, if you’re coming in as a backup quarterback?'” NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on April 25. “Pavia’s answer was basically like, ‘I’m not coming in as a backup quarterback. I’m coming to take somebody’s job.'”

Baltimore did not add a quarterback, leaving space for a developmental No. 3. Pavia’s playing style fits, but it’s unclear if he can adapt his mentality to take on a backup role.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar