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The Baltimore Ravens don’t need to see a tryout from undrafted Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia: They’re giving him a contract.
The polarizing Heisman Trophy runner-up has reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Ravens, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He was scheduled to try out for the team this weekend, but Baltimore will sign him early.
Of course, two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson remains the team’s starter heading into the 2026 season and beyond. However, they only had Tyler “Snoop” Huntley on the roster before the deal for Pavia, who made unfortunate draft history last weekend.
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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws a football during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
Pavia didn’t expect to go undrafted this weekend, but he became the first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 to not hear his name called for seven rounds in Pittsburgh.
Now, he has the opportunity to not only show the Ravens what he has, but also to develop under the three-year contract.
DIEGO PAVIA’S STRIPES CLUB VISIT ADDS TO DRAMA SURROUNDING QB AHEAD OF NFL TRYOUT WITH RAVENS
Pavia was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm for top senior quarterback after throwing for 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, both school single-season records, to give the Commodores their first 10-win season.
Vanderbilt narrowly missed the College Football Playoff after finishing 10-3.
Pavia ultimately finished second in Heisman voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. So what ultimately led to Pavia not being drafted?
While his personality may have been a factor, Pavia’s official height at the NFL Scouting Combine drew attention. Vanderbilt had him listed at 6 feet, but he stood at 5 feet, 9 7/8 inches, which would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL if he stepped foot on the field today. The average height is 6 feet 2 inches for an NFL quarterback.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 20, 2026. (ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
However, those shorter than average have found success, including the newest member of the Minnesota Vikings, Kyler Murray, who went first overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 out of Oklahoma. It is listed at 5 feet 10 inches.
Pavia responded to critics during the Senior Bowl in January regarding his height.
“Yes, my size has been doubted my whole life,” he said at the time, via AL.com. “I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is whether you can win, and I see myself as a winner. I’ve been fortunate with all these great teams that I’ve had; we’ve never had a losing season. So that’s something that I hope, I hope, for the rest of my career, that’s how it will be.
“I feel like God has blessed me in many ways to be a connector, and I feel like that’s one of my superpowers that I have: I can connect. We bond, and then once you bond, you want to play for each other, and once you give 120% effort, there’s no one that can stop your team.”
Pavia’s personality, seen by some as more arrogant than confident, may also have played a role. After placing second to Mendoza in the Heisman voting, Pavia was seen at a New York City nightclub next to a sign that read, “F— Indiana.” She then posted a photo on social media with friends and a caption that read: “F— ALL THE VOTERS, BUT…FAMILY FOR LIFE.”
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia celebrates after the team’s victory against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov. 22, 2025. (Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Pavia later apologized for his decision to post that on his social media.
The Ravens’ rookie minicamp is scheduled to begin Friday and last all weekend with all of the team’s draft picks, undrafted free agents and tryout players.
