Ravens invite Heisman finalist QB Diego Pavia to rookie minicamp

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Diego Pavia #2 of the Vanderbilt Commodores drops to pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images 2025 Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia was not selected in this weekend’s draft due to concerns about his size and arm strength translating to the next level. Now, he will get his shot in the NFL after accepting an invite to the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp next weekend, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter .

Pavia was incredibly productive at Vanderbilt last year, averaging 271. 5 passing yards and 66. 3 rushing yards per game with 39 total touchdowns.

He earned the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as college football’s best quarterback as well as first-team All-SEC and SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors. However, the Commodores’ offense highlighted Pavia’s strengths and hid his weaknesses by using RPOs and getting him on the move. His 5-foot-10 height – which is in the first percentile among NFL QBs – and limited arm talent are a poor fit for NFL offenses that require their passers to see and target the entire field from the pocket.

Pavia’s playmaking ability is also more a result of his toughness and short-area burst than his long speed and skills as a ballcarrier. There have been a handful of undersized quarterbacks to succeed in the pros, but Pavia lacks the traits that allowed players like Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray to compensate. He is in for an uphill battle against the more complex schemes and tougher defenders he will face in the NFL.