Diego Pavia's NFL dream will start with 3-year Ravens contract
Diego Pavia signed a three-year deal with a franchise known for developing undersized dual-threat backup QBs.
Diego Pavia made history at Vanderbilt by doing things people said he couldn't. Now he's set to try again in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens . Pavia was the first Heisman Trophy runner up in two decades not to hear his name called at the NFL Draft, ceding ground to 257 players as questions swirled about his size and attitude.
But that size and attitude helped develop him into a star and made one of the SEC's doormats a legitimate College Football Playoff candidate. The Commodores had their first 10-win season in program history in 2025 thanks in large part to Pavia's playmaking and bravado. Now, after initially going unsigned in the frenzy following the final pick of the draft, he's turned what was originally a minicamp tryout into a non-guaranteed three-year contract with Baltimore.
Ravens are signing former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia to a three-year deal, per source. Pavia were supposed to try out this weekend, but the Ravens signed him in advance. pic.
twitter. com/QMeHAWnffP ā Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2026 The Ravens have had success with mobile quarterbacks who had college success despite less-than-ideal statures. Trace McSorley, coincidentally a former Vandy commit who followed James Franklin to Penn State, spent time as Lamar Jackson's backup.