Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia turned heads recently when he talked about his decision to negotiate his own NIL deals rather than using an agent, stressing that he didn’t want anyone else taking his money for something he could do himself. This comment was ultimately misconstrued, with many NFL analysts and players thinking that we also going through the NFL’s pre-draft process without an agent. However, Pavia has hired representation, and his agent shot down this false narrative on Wednesday.
Diego Pavia Agent Shoots Down Controversial Narrative
While sitting down with Jon Gruden for his “Gruden’s QB Class” series, Pavia shared his approach to representing himself during NIL negotiations.
“I didn’t think it was fair that someone was going to represent me and take 5-10%,” he explained. “Ain’t nobody taking my money.”
The remark quickly circulated, prompting strong reactions across the NFL community with people pointing out that NFL agents can only take a maximum 3% commission. This was used to frame Pavia as uninformed, but in fact, it just proves that the Vanderbilt QB was talking about NIL negotiations where agents can take significantly more.
Pavia’s agent Malki Kawa chimed in to clarify Pavia’s comments and make it clear that he does have someone guiding him throughout the pre-draft process. In response to the viral narrative, Kawa wrote, “Please stop the stupidity. He didn’t have an NIL AGENT. I am his agent for the nfl 🤦🏻♂️😂”.
Please stop the stupidity. He didn’t have an NIL AGENT. I am his agent for the nfl 🤦🏻♂️😂 https://t.co/F5SZIm0Gig
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) April 8, 2026
Pavia’s comments were clearly misunderstood or taken out of context. It’s one thing to represent yourself while negotiating NIL deals, but it’s another to go through the NFL pre-draft process without any help. Some players have done it, but for a player like Pavia who could go undrafted, a representative is important.
According to PFSN’s scouting data, he carries a grade of 64.89 and is ranked the No. 214 overall prospect in this draft class and the No. 13-ranked quarterback. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is listed at 4.49, which is a concern.
Pavia was the No. 1-ranked QB in college football last season in PFSN’s QB Impact Score (with a grade of 94.8). He produced at a high level, but questions about his athleticism and how his game will translate to the next level have hurt his draft stock.
PFSN’s Mock Draft Tracker lists his average draft position at 234.5, with a projected pick range between No. 215 and No. 254, placing him firmly in late-round consideration. He is currently projected as a Round 7 selection and has only been mocked twice in that range.
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PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator data shows a user ADP of 210.9 and a user rank of No. 226, while he has been drafted 1,125 times in simulations with a slight weekly rise of +6.3. Industry consensus boards are even more conservative, with PFF ranking him No. 263 and CBS Sports placing him at No. 287.
These numbers align with PFSN’s broader evaluation. While Pavia’s 2025 season was highly productive and was a Heisman Trophy finalist recognition, concerns remain about his processing, arm strength, and long-term ceiling. He is widely viewed as a potential backup option rather than a franchise centerpiece.
“Pavia’s analytics inspire hope; he’s an efficient, fairly accurate passer who avoids ill-advised risks, and he boasts a juiced-up and gritty running style. However, his on-field evaluation does leave questions,” reads Pavia’s PFSN scouting report.
“His processing isn’t quite NFL-caliber, nor is his arm strength, and even his athleticism might not be as prevalent against NFL talent. Pavia has the desired mobility, toughness, and quick-game utility to function as an NFL backup, but his ceiling is likely capped beyond that.”
