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Diego Pavia is seizing an unexpected opportunity.
The Heisman Trophy finalist, who surprisingly went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, has been invited to the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp despite his impressive collegiate career.
Remarkably, Pavia is the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch in 2014. Lynch received a similar invitation from the Chicago Bears but was released before the regular season, never making an official NFL appearance.
Standing at 5-foot-10, Pavia will join the Ravens’ rookie minicamp next weekend, according to a report by Adam Schefter.
Colorado head coach and NFL legend Deion Sanders offered words of encouragement to the intriguing 24-year-old, boosting his spirits ahead of this new chapter.
“I BELIEVE IN YOU MY MAN! Stay strong and don’t let up,” Sanders wrote on X, while tagging Pavia.
He added, “Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget. Much Love & God bless you. #PRIME.”
Pavia, known for his electric style of play, dual-threat ability, and brash persona, enjoyed a decorated college career, splitting time between New Mexico State and Vanderbilt.
At Vanderbilt, he rose to national prominence in 2025, posting an SEC-best 70.6 completion percentage, accompanied by league-best 29 passing touchdowns to eight interceptions.
He also carried the ball 167 times for 862 rushing yards and 10 TDs, and, most notably, led Vanderbilt to a win over then-No. 1 Alabama at home on October 5, 2024.
In that game, Pavia posted 252 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air, with an additional 20 carries for 56 yards on the ground.
At New Mexico State, he earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023, putting up 2,673 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions, with 176 carries, 923 rushing yards and seven TDs on the ground.
In Baltimore, Pavia will have a chance to join a quarterback room that already includes multiple-time MVP Lamar Jackson, as well as long-time Ravens backup Tyler Huntley.