Heisman Finalist Pavia Shockingly Undrafted in 2026 NFL Draft

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia concluded his six-year college career without hearing his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft, which took place from April 23-25, 2026. Pavia, who was a Heisman finalist in 2025, played for multiple institutions including New Mexico Military Institute, New Mexico State, and finally Vanderbilt, where he helped the team achieve its first winning season since 2013.

Concerns about Pavia's physical attributes and performance during his Pro Day were cited as reasons for his draft snub. Standing just under 5 feet 10 inches, he falls short of the typical height for elite quarterbacks. His Pro Day results also raised doubts, with evaluators noting accuracy issues on deep passes.

Pavia's college journey was marked by significant attention, including a second-place finish in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting. His public reaction to the voting results and his participation in a November 2024 lawsuit against the NCAA over junior college athlete rules added to his complex profile as he entered the draft.