Diego Pavia reportedly has multiple NFL options on the table despite going undrafted, as well as the intriguing possibility of a move to the United Football League.
The controversial Vanderbilt quarterback was snubbed by all 32 teams in the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since 2014.
He also failed to earn a contract as an undrafted rookie free agent on the open market after the Draft wrapped up.
Yet not all hope is lost for Pavia, who has since been handed a dramatic lifeline by the Baltimore Ravens.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Baltimore has extended an invitation for the 24-year-old to participate in its minicamp next weekend, offering him a much-needed shot at redemption.
And during an appearance on Monday’s ‘The Pat McAfee Show’, Schefter revealed the Ravens are not the only team interested in bringing him to their minicamp.
Diego Pavia reportedly has multiple NFL options on the table despite going undrafted
The controversial Vanderbilt quarterback was snubbed by all 32 teams in the 2026 NFL Draft
‘I’m sure that he’s disappointed that he didn’t get drafted, of course,’ the NFL insider told McAfee. ‘The Ravens minicamp is this weekend, but there are other teams that have their minicamps the next weekend. There are other teams that wanna bring him in if the Ravens don’t sign him.
‘So he’s got a couple of invitations and we’ll see where he winds up on a roster.’
McAfee also pointed to the UFL – the innovative minor football league that runs through the spring – as a potential landing spot for Pavia.
‘I think a lot of what made [Pavia] fantastic for College was also gonna be what held him back as an NFL “prospect”.. Size, speed, style of play, personality.. you name it, all of it PERFECT for college not necessarily the prototypical NFL “prospect.” If he gets in a building and finds success I’d be pumped for him and his family,’ the ESPN host wrote on X.
McAfee then added: ‘If it doesn’t work out.. is he not the UFL QB Blueprint? Recognizable name.. can move.. not scared to promote.
‘UFL’s getting 800,000 viewers a game, which is good for spring ball, can bump that a bit with some name brands aht there… I think we all assume the clips, regardless of outcome, would go for a bit.
‘Feels like an opportune time for the UFL.. and for the Pavia show.’
Pavia could even end up in the Canadian Football League, given one of its teams have already secured his negotiating rights.
Pat McAfee has pointed to the United Football League as a potential landing spot for Pavia
According to NBC’s Pro Football Talk, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would have dibs on him if he did decide to give the CFL a try.
Pavia threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns during a breakout 2025 season. Furthermore, he was a four-year starter across two programs, completing 62.2 percent of his passes in 53 career games for 10,255 yards with 88 touchdowns and 27 interceptions.
But as well as concerns over the 5ft 10in signal-caller’s size, NFL general managers may have been wary of his well-documented history of controversy.
After he was beaten to the Heisman Trophy by Fernando Mendoza, who was selected No 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, Pavia re-posted an Instagram story of himself and the offensive caption: ‘F-ALL THE VOTERS, BUT…..FAMILY FOR LIFE.’
He also reposted comments from Skip Bayless on social media which stated that he deserved the award, while seemingly throwing a jab at Mendoza’s six-minute acceptance speech.
Pavia was later photographed at a club with a sign reading ‘F*** Indiana’ in his section. The Heisman runner-up later apologized.
He also raised eyebrows this spring in a viral interview with Jon Gruden when he appeared to reveal that he had not hired an agent for the pre-draft process.
‘I didn’t think it was fair that someone was going to represent me and take 5 to 10 percent,’ Pavia told Gruden. ‘Ain’t nobody taking my money.’
