Diego Pavia’s magical ride at Vanderbilt was one for the history books, but the 2026 NFL Draft culminated in an unexpected disappointment for the polarizing quarterback. Despite leading a historic campaign and earning a spot as a Heisman finalist, Pavia shockingly went undrafted.
This made Pavia the first Heisman finalist since 2014 to go undrafted. However, support poured in on social media from former and current NFL players, including from one of the most outspoken voices in the sport.
Deion Sanders Sends Motivational Message to Diego Pavia
The perceived slight sent ripples through the college football community, drawing reactions from analysts and fans alike.
However, in the midst of the disappointment, Pavia received swift and powerful encouragement from two of the most prominent voices in the sport: Colorado head coach Deion “Prime” Sanders and his son, Deion Sanders Jr.
The Sanders family is intimately familiar with the pressures of the spotlight and the sheer determination required to succeed in football. Taking to social media, Sanders Jr. was quick to voice his support for the Vanderbilt star.
He kept his message short, direct, and fueled by motivation, posting on X: “Make them regret it @diegopavia02.”
Shortly after, Coach Prime himself chimed in to offer a veteran’s perspective, emphasizing faith and unrelenting resilience.
The legendary Hall of Famer tweeted: “@diegopavia02 “I BELIEVE IN YOU MY MAN! Stay strong and don’t let up. Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget. Much Love & God bless you. #PRIME”
Pavia’s draft free fall was shocking, given his phenomenal production. According to his PFSN Draft Profile, Pavia was nothing short of spectacular during the 2025 season.
He amassed 3,539 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns, while simultaneously acting as a lethal weapon on the ground. He rushed for an additional 862 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Furthermore, he anchored Vanderbilt to an astonishing 10-3 record. Still, despite that unparalleled on-field success, NFL scouts seemingly harped on measurable concerns, allowing him to slide entirely out of the seven rounds.
However, the analytical data paints the picture of a prospect who simply knows how to win. The PFSN CFB QB Impact Metric, which assigns a grade by evaluating both passing and rushing performance, weighing stable factors like clean-pocket execution, and factoring in clutch situations, proves Pavia was in a league of his own.
In fact, Pavia finished the season ranked No. 1 overall out of 190 qualifying quarterbacks. He earned a staggering 94.8 QB Impact Score and an “A” grade, confirming his status as college football’s most impactful quarterback.
MORE: PFSN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker
The NFL Draft has historically prioritized traditional physical prototypes over raw, unquantifiable grit. But Pavia’s relentless, competitive playstyle is exactly what captured the admiration of fans nationwide, including the Sanders family.
If history is any indicator, Pavia is at his most dangerous when he is counted out. With an enormous chip on his shoulder and the vocal backing of Coach Prime, Pavia now enters the undrafted free agency market with a singular objective: make all 32 NFL teams regret letting him slip away.
