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The Baltimore Ravens don’t have to see a tryout from undrafted Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia — they’re giving him a contract.
The polarizing Heisman Trophy runner-up reportedly inked 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 is signing him early.
Of course, two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson remains the team’s starter going 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, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Pavia didn’t expect to go undrafted this weekend, but he became the first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 not to hear his name called through seven rounds in Pittsburgh.
Now he gets an opportunity to not only show the Ravens what he’s got, but develop under the three-year deal.
DIEGO PAVIA’S STRIP CLUB VISIT ADDS TO DRAMA SURROUNDING QB AHEAD OF NFL TRYOUT WITH RAVENS
Pavia was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and won the Johnny Unita Golden Arm for top upperclassman quarterback after throwing for 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, both single-season school records, to give the Commodores their first-ever 10-win season.
Vanderbilt just missed the College Football Playoff after finishing 10-3.
Pavia ultimately finished second in the 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 factored into the consideration, Pavia’s official height at the NFL Scouting Combine turned some heads. Vanderbilt had him listed at 6 feet, but he measured in at 5 feet, 9 7/8 inches, which would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL if he stepped foot on the gridiron today. The average height is 6-foot-2 for an NFL quarterback.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during the football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., on March 20, 2026. (ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
However, those shorter than average have seen success, including Minnesota Vikings newest member Kyler Murray, who went first overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 out of Oklahoma. He is listed at 5 feet, 10 inches.
Pavia barked back at critics during the Senior Bowl in January regarding his height.
“Yeah, my size has been in doubt my whole life,” he said at the time, 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.
“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.”
Pavia’s personality, considered by some to be more cocky than confident, may also have played a factor. After finishing second to Mendoza in the Heisman voting, Pavia was spotted at a New York nightclub next to a sign that read: “F— Indiana.” He then posted on social media a photo with friends and a caption that read: “F— ALL THE VOTERS BUT … FAMILY FOR LIFE.”
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia celebrates after the team’s win against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 22, 2025. (Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Pavia later apologized for his decision to post it on his social media.
Ravens rookie minicamp is scheduled to begin on Friday and run through the weekend with all of the team’s draft picks, undrafted free agents and tryout players.
