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Diego Pavia is banking on a different kind of growth these days.
At 24 years old and standing 5-foot-9, the Vanderbilt quarterback is unlikely to meet the typical height expectations of NFL scouts. However, Pavia is focused on personal development and moving past certain youthful indiscretions—such as his impulsive reaction to being a runner-up to Fernando Mendoza in a highly publicized Heisman Trophy vote. In a moment of frustration, he scribbled a less-than-diplomatic message: “F-ALL THE VOTERS.”
“Coach Clark Lea always reminded us that the frontal lobe isn’t fully mature until you reach 25,” Pavia joked at the NFL Combine, as reported by MSG Network’s Madelyn Burke. “I just turned 24, so I’ve got about 365 days left for that evolution.”
Pavia is trying to beat the odds as the shortest NFL quarterback of the decade. Bryce Young and Kyler Murray – both of whom measured slightly over 5-foot-10 – were No. 1 overall picks, while Pavia is hoping that a team will use a late-round pick on him despite his size.
“I’m a man on a mission,” Pavia said. “I’ve dreamed about this since I was a kid, so super excited for this opportunity. And super grateful for it, too.”
Doubters are nothing new for Pavia, who began his career at New Mexico Military Institute for two seasons, transferred to New Mexico State for two seasons and then found stardom over two seasons leading Vanderbilt to new heights in the SEC with a contagiously passionate playing style.
Pavia completed 70.6 percent of his passes and threw for 29 touchdowns last season as the Commodores cracked the Top 10 in the AP poll and finished 10-3.
“My ‘why’ is my mom,” Pavia said. “What drives me is that, as a little kid, you don’t grow up with a lot, and so you want more for yourself. That’s what drives my passion to be here.”
Pavia said that he met with the Jets at the NFL Combine. He fits their underdog mentality.
“I feel like I’m going to carry that chip on my shoulder wherever I go,” Pavia said. “Whatever team gets me is going to get a hard worker, a heck of a teammate. When my number is called, I’ll be ready.”
Pavia apologized to the voters and to Mendoza on social media one day after the Heisman ceremony.