Diego Pavia’s draft evaluation has become one of the strangest talks in the 2026 NFL Draft cycle. On one hand, his production, a strong winning resume, and playmaking ability suggest he should be taken far more seriously than where many projections currently place him.
On the other hand, concerns about his size, personality, and overall NFL fit continue to push him toward the fringes of the quarterback board. That tension was on full display during a recent discussion involving Jon Gruden and Dave Portnoy.
Jon Gruden Says Diego Pavia’s Tape and Winning History Should Override Draft Doubts
During a recent conversation on the “Wake Up Barstool” show about what Pavia could become at the next level, Gruden made it clear that he sees the Vanderbilt QB as one of the most compelling football players in the class. His argument was rooted not only in Pavia’s physical competitiveness but also in the places where he has already proven he can win.
“If you don’t like Diego Pavia, you just don’t like football,” Gruden said. “This guy has won where people don’t win. Nobody has ever won at New Mexico State, this guy took them to two bowl games. Nobody wins 10 games at Vanderbilt on the football field. He beat Alabama, he beat Auburn three times, he beat LSU, and he beat Tennessee in Knoxville. He is a contagious vibe, man.”
Gruden followed that by acknowledging the obvious concern surrounding Pavia’s profile and his height, but argued that the rest of his skill set still gives him a legitimate chance to succeed.
“Once you catch the vibe, man, you’ve got it forever,” Gruden added. “He’s a creative player. He can win in the pocket. He has one thing going against him, his height… The difference height-wise between him and Mike Vick and Drew Brees is that much. And I’m not saying he’s going to be Drew Brees or Mike Vick, but he shreds people in the SEC.”
Portnoy’s pushback had less to do with talent and more to do with how Pavia carries himself, specifically whether NFL teams will view his personality as a risk.
“Think in many GMs and coaches’ minds is two things going against him,” Portnoy said. “The second being the gift of gab. He never shuts up, and he talks a lot of trash. And from what I’ve seen him say, He’s not going to tone it down. He’s like, ‘This is who I am.’ Now, the NFL is, in my experience, allergic to this.”
Gruden responded by suggesting that Pavia’s edge is a product of the path he has taken, not some manufactured persona.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
“When you’re Diego Pavia, and you’re a no-star recruit, nobody wants you,” Gruden replied. “Nobody wants you after you win a national title at junior college. Nobody wants you after New Mexico State. You get a chip on your shoulder that’s about this big, and he is a pain in the a** to play against.”
“I’m convinced you would really like him and want [Diego Pavia] to be a part of our team”… – @BarstoolGruden
“No doubt, but I bet a lot of front offices would look at me and say ‘we don’t want anything to do with this guy!’ – @stoolpresidente
“A lot of these front offices… pic.twitter.com/BYRkQj02AV
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) April 6, 2026
Pavia’s production indeed backs up Gruden’s enthusiasm. According to PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Metric, Pavia was the highest-ranked QB in college football last season and had an impact score of 94.8.
He completed 70.6% of his passes for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 2025, while also adding 862 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores. Yet despite that resume, his current PFSN Consensus Big Board grade sits at 64.89, ranking him No. 211 overall, and he is currently projected to be a seventh-round pick.
That disconnect is exactly what makes Pavia such a fascinating case. He may not fit the NFL’s cleanest QB mold, but if one team decides it values football instincts, toughness, and production, it may end up with one of the biggest draft steals in the class.
