Former Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia has been one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class due to height and attitude concerns. Pavia led the Commodores to a 10-3 season and finished just behind Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza during the Heisman Trophy voting last season.
Diego Pavia Pushes Draft Case at NFL Combine Despite QB Shortage
The 2026 class is notoriously light on quarterback talent, and Pavia is one of the stars on the fringe of the draft conversation. While speaking to the media at the combine on Friday, Pavia, who faces an uncertain draft fate, made a big pitch for why he should be drafted into the league.
“I’m the ultimate teammate. I’ll do anything for my team,” Pavia said. “And the guys who have been around me know that and so, I’ll just carry that with me.”
Diego Pavia: I’m the ultimate teammate pic.twitter.com/lqCtGM5Vp1
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) February 27, 2026
Pavia, who will throw in front of scouts on Saturday, is one of the prospects hoping to boost their flagging draft stocks at the NFL Combine. Since joining the Commodores two seasons ago and winning an extra year of eligibility, Pavia has courted controversy with his actions off the field, including sending an expletive-laden tirade aimed at the voters after the Heisman snub in December.
While speaking to reporters in Indianapolis on Friday, Pavia doubled down on his tenacious temperament. “I feel like a lot of teams love the tenacity, the fight,” Pavia said. “The life of an underdog, that’s for sure. And, so, they ask questions. But you go back, you look at my record, ain’t nothing on my record.
“I just want everyone to know what’s true about me is I’m humble and I get my confidence from my process. And if you saw how much I put into this, you would see where I get my confidence.”
“I feel like I’m gonna carry that chip on my shoulder wherever I go.”
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia on how his underdog story has helped him get to where he is and help him moving forward. #NFL #NFLCombine2026 pic.twitter.com/p0Qeps8TO5
— Mike Patton 🏈🎤🖋 (@MikePatton82) February 27, 2026
Pavia, who is listed at just under 5-feet-10, further addressed his lack of height that has been a constant topic of discussion since the Senior Bowl.
“I would just say turn on the tape. It’s not like we’re not playing these guys that are going first-round, second-round [picks] on Saturdays in the SEC,” Pavia said. “So, the SEC and the Big Ten probably have the most guys getting drafted in the first, second round. So, we’re playing those guys and ain’t nothing going to change.”
Pavia earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 94.8 after an impressive season for the Commodores, where he tallied 3,539 passing yards, resulting in 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 862 rushing yards and 10 scores.
