Diego Pavia not selected in 2026 NFL Draft, first Heisman Trophy finalist not picked since 2014
Pavia went from JUCO standout to household name, turning into the face of one of the more unlikely turnarounds in college sports.
Diego Pavia, one of the most polarizing college football players in recent memory, was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft . The former JUCO, New Mexico State and Vanderbilt quarterback became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch was not picked in the 2014 draft. Following the draft’s conclusion on Saturday, Pavia did not sign with an NFL team as a free agent.
He reportedly visited the Carolina Panthers before the draft, but no other visits were reported. The setup for Diego Pavia’s draft party. We will see where the Vanderbilt QB goes.
@WKRN pic. twitter. com/66iMsshgYC — Julian Mininsohn (@JMininsohn) April 25, 2026 The last Heisman winner to go undrafted was Iowa QB Brad Banks in 2003.
He signed with the Washington Commanders as a free agent, but did not win a roster spot. Uncertainty over whether Pavia hired an agent after finishing his college career may have been a factor in him not being invited for more predraft visits. In an interview with former NFL coach Jon Gruden , Pavia said he didn’t have representation.
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