Former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia made unwanted history last weekend, becoming the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014.
While he wasn’t selected during the three-day NFL draft, Pavia signed a three-year UDFA deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
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At the Ravens’ rookie minicamp on Saturday, head coach Jesse Minter said this is Pavia’s chance to prove himself.
“I know the program (Vanderbilt) he came from, I know a lot of people that worked with him. A really hard worker. He really helped elevate that program,” Minter said. “He’s in the door, show us what you can do, let the chips fall where they may.”
Pavia put together a tremendous season for the commodores, but concerns about his height and age contributed to teams passing on him in the draft. At 5’10” and 24 years old, he’s shorter and older than most QB prospects.
Pavia threw without pads during his minicamp outing on Saturday.
Character concerns were also a factor for Pavia, who issued a public apology in December for making a social media post that said “F- ALL THE VOTERS” after finishing as the runner-up behind Fernando Mendoza for the Heisman Trophy.
Minter said he’s confident that Pavia has only grown and matured over time.
“He’s had some experiences that are learning experiences that he could learn from and be better from. I don’t think anybody would dispute that,” Minter said. “But when you talk to the people inside that building [at Vanderbilt] and what he’s about as a player, he is showing up early every day and working really hard.”
Minter also said there is no concrete decision regarding the team’s QB room. He said the Ravens could choose to work with the rookies they have or could ultimately look elsewhere.
If there was ever a time for Pavia to show what he’s made of, it’s now.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
