Former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has become the story of the draft cycle after his official measurements of 5-foot-9 and 7/8 were revealed at the Senior Bowl. The debate about his height being suited to the NFL has raged on among both fans and analysts.
After successfully gaining an extra year of eligibility, Pavia finished No. 2 in the Heisman Trophy voting, just behind Indiana Hoosiers’ Fernando Mendoza, and elevated the Commodores to a double-digit winning season last year.
Former NFL QB Backs Diego Pavia
In a clip posted on X on Saturday, former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel defended Pavia’s lack of height while breaking down the tangible factors that made him worth a punt for teams in the league during the draft.
“Is he a polarizing figure? Sure. Is he a winner? Absolutely. Look at all the quarterbacks that’s short, right? How rarely are you throwing over people?” Daniel said. “I don’t get why people are so up in arms. He was never gonna be a first-round pick. Why not take a waiver on him in the third round? He was the best quarterback in the Senior Bowl.
“This is a very little quarterback class… There’s a lot of backup-type guys. Why can’t he have a career like me? 14 years as a backup… I don’t understand the want to try and knock him for his height because what I see on the field is completely different. The dude’s a baller. You gotta have all the intangibles to be successful in the NFL as a quarterback.”
Despite being headlined by the talented Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 NFL QB draft class is considered one of the weakest in recent years, with the 2027 class predicted to be QB-heavy.
Pavia Addresses Height Concerns
During an interview on Sirius XM on Saturday, Pavia addressed the raging debate about his height and revealed what NFL teams would get to offset those concerns.
“God blessed me with 5-9 and 7/8,” Pavia said. “I want to show every team that whoever I’m blessed enough to go to, you’re going to get someone who’s a winner. I’ve been blessed enough to never have a losing season of football ever in my life, and I don’t plan on it ever happening. That’s what you’re going to get out of me.”
Pavia accounted for 3,539 passing yards, resulting in 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 862 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a PFSN College QB Impact score of 94.8.
