Diego Pavia, the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up, entered the 2026 NFL Draft with high expectations as a quarterback prospect from Vanderbilt. However, his professional future remains uncertain after he was not selected in any of the seven rounds of the draft, which featured 257 players.
Pavia’s omission marks a historic moment in NFL Draft history. He becomes the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014. Pavia finished second in the Heisman voting behind Fernando Mendoza, capping off a standout collegiate season.
Standing at just under 5-foot-10, Pavia’s height may have been a deciding factor for NFL teams. The league has long favored taller quarterbacks, and Pavia’s stature would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL if signed to a roster. As of now, there has been no reported agreement for Pavia to join a team as an undrafted free agent, leaving his professional debut in limbo.
With no draft selection and no immediate free-agent offers, Pavia’s path to the NFL now hinges on securing a roster spot through undrafted free agency. His journey highlights the challenges faced by shorter quarterbacks in a league traditionally dominated by taller players.
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