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Diego Pavia was a Heisman Trophy finalist his senior year with the Vanderbilt Commodores, and he’s now looking ahead to a potential NFL career in the next few months.
When NFL scouts and media came to the Senior Bowl this week, Pavia’s measurable results registered. He was listed at 5-foot-9 7/8 and 198 pounds.
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Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 31, 2025. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
Height is something that doesn’t necessarily define a player’s career, but it is something teams take into account when making their draft picks. The average height of an NFL quarterback is somewhere between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3. Bryce Young and Kyler Murray are among the smallest quarterbacks in the NFL at 5-foot-10.
Pavia didn’t seem too concerned about his vitals when he spoke to reporters on Monday.
“Yeah, my size has been in doubt my whole life,” he said, via AL.com. “I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is that 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 to look forward to, I hope, for the rest of my career, that’s how it’s going to be.
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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates after the team’s win over Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“I feel like God has blessed me in so many ways to be a connector, and I feel like that’s one of my superpowers that I have — I can connect. We unite, and then once you unite, you want to play for each other, and once you give 120% effort, nobody can stop your team.”
Heart and hustle is something Pavia showed during his time with Vanderbilt.
He had 2,293 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in 2024 during his first season with Vanderbilt following his transfer from New Mexico State. Vanderbilt was 7-6 and delivered a big win over Alabama.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws to a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
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In 2025, Vanderbilt was 10-3 and nearly made the College Football Playoff. Pavia earned a spot as a Heisman finalist with 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes.
