Diego Pavia first Heisman finalist undrafted in 12 years: 2026 NFL Draft tracker live updates originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia put up a combined 4,401 yards both through the air and on the ground in the 2025 season. The runner-up for the Heisman Trophy scored almost 40 touchdowns combined. A 170-season rating average and almost 71% completions should have put him firmly in the top 100.
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However, there are several factors working against Pavia. He was listed by Vanderbilt to be 6’0. While that is respectable, it is below the mark of what NFL teams look for. That was made into an even bigger concern when he measured 5’9″ and 7/8″ at the Senior Bowl. Excluding Kyler Murray‘s NFL Rookie of the Year season, there has not been a ‘successful’ NFL QB under 5-foot-10 since 2000.
Despite the size concern there is a skill set concern. What Pavia did at Vanderbilt can work in the college game, but has very little success at the NFL level. Too many big plays off the platform, relies too much on his legs, and he is not viewed as a QB that can stand and deliver from the pocket.
Then there’s off the field antics. Pavia is making the same mistakes that Shedeur Sanders and others have made in recent memory. He’s trying to speak a draft stock into existence that no one else agrees with. He has been dismissive of the talent level of other players. He confirmed to Jon Gruden that he would not hire an agent.
Diego Pavia live updates and social media reactions
April 25
More: Diego Pavia fumbled the bag before NFL Draft, but it was avoidable
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Pavia ends the night and hasn’t signed with an NFL team
Pavia needed an agent and wouldn’t hire one… except he did.
Pavia likely won’t be making a UDFA deal decision tonight
A kicker signs a UDFA deal before Pavia
Gruden co-signed for Pavia and still went undrafted
Where does this leave Diego Pavia?
Diego Pavia’s NFL Draft journey was called by former NFL All-Pro
UDFA QBs starting to sign with NFL teams
Diego Pavia goes undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. Let’s see where he lands as a free agent
Denver is on the clock with the final two picks
Final five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
One prospect who never played college football gets drafted with Pavia’s hope dim
Final 10 picks of the NFL Draft without a sign Pavia will be taken. He’ll likely be the first undrafted Heisman finalist in 12 years. Also, the 10th QB off the board.
Important to note: Pavia hasn’t officially gone undrafted yet at the time of his tweet.
A total of nine QBs have been taken in the 2026 NFL Draft with a few projected after Pavia
Another Punter comes off the board. Florida’s Tommy Doman at No. 239 to Buffalo
Mid-7th Round- Pavia’s chances of being drafted down right now
We’ve hit the 7th round in the 2026 NFL Draft- Will Diego Pavia be Mr. Irrrelevant
More:Denver Broncos have golden opportunity to spice up Mr. Irrelevant retreat
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A punter and a kicker were taken before Pavia
More:Diego Pavia draft party hat selection reveals NFL disconnect
More: Will Diego Pavia be drafted today? A closer look at the chances for the Heisman runner-up
April 25
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Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft is here.
April 24
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We’ve hit the end of Day 2 with Pavia still not off the board. 100 picks in and this isn’t good news for the former Vandy QB
April 23
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Diego Pavia isn’t a first-rounder in the NFL.
With Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson going at the top end of the first round, when will the next QB come off the board?
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network– available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
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Published Date : 2026-04-26 03:44:00
Source : sports.yahoo.com
