Ravens' Diego Pavia Faces Opportunity After Historic Undrafted Signing

Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter has made it clear: Diego Pavia’s opportunity is here, and now it’s up to the former Vanderbilt quarterback to seize it.

"So now he’s in the door, and it's like, 'Show us what you can do,'" Minter said Saturday, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "And just like all the undrafted rookies, that's what I would say."

Pavia made history last month by becoming the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted in 12 years. He signed with the Ravens as a rookie free agent and is currently competing with Connecticut’s Joe Fagnano for the No. 3 quarterback position.

"For us, we see it as an opportunity to bring a player in that could potentially be something, and that's really what this is for us," Minter explained.

The Ravens may still add more quarterbacks this offseason, according to Minter. However, Pavia was not available for media interviews despite the NFL’s media access policy requiring teams to make rookies available. The questions would likely have centered on concerns about his age, height, and past decision-making.

Pavia’s Background and Work Ethic

Minter served as the defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt in 2021, where he developed a close relationship with head coach Clark Lea. Reflecting on Pavia’s journey, Minter said:

"[Pavia has] had some experiences that are learning experiences that he could learn from and be better from. I don't think anybody would dispute that. But when you talk to the people inside that building [at Vanderbilt] and what he's about as a player, he is showing up early every day and working really hard."

Pavia’s work ethic and dedication have been noted by those within the Vanderbilt program, offering a glimpse into his character as he navigates this pivotal moment in his career.