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The Baltimore Ravens don’t need to see a tryout from undrafted Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia — they’re giving him a contract.
The polarizing Heisman Trophy finalist has reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Ravens, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He was scheduled to try out for the team this weekend, but Baltimore signed him ahead of time.
Of course, two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson remains the team’s starter for the 2026 season and beyond. However, they only had Tyler “Snoop” Huntley on the roster before the deal for Pavie, who made draft history last weekend.
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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws a football during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Pavie didn’t expect to go undrafted this weekend, but he became the first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 to not hear his name called during seven rounds in Pittsburgh.
Now he has the opportunity to not only show the Ravens what he has, but also develop on a three-year deal.
DIEGO PAVIA’S STRIP CLUB VISIT ADDS TO DRAMA AROUND QB AHEAD OF NFL TRYOUT WITH RAVENS
Pavia was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm for top upperclassman quarterback after throwing for 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, both of which are single-season school records, to give the Commodores their first-ever 10-win season.
Vanderbilt narrowly missed the College Football Playoff after finishing 10-3.
Pavie ultimately finished second in Heisman voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza – the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. So what ultimately stopped Pavie from being drafted?
While his personality may have factored in, Pavia’s official height at the NFL Scouting Combine turned some heads. Vanderbilt had him listed at 6 feet, but he measured 5 feet 9 7/8 inches, which would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL if he were to step on the gridiron today. The average height is 6 feet 2 inches for an NFL quarterback.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during a football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee on March 20, 2026. (ANDREW NELLES / TENNESSEAN NETWORK / USA TODAY via Imagn Images)
However, those who are smaller than average have found success, including newest member of the Minnesota Vikings, Kyler Murray, who went first overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 out of Oklahoma. He is listed at 5 feet 10 inches.
Pavie barked at critics during the Senior Bowl in January regarding his size.
“Yes, my height has been questioned my whole life,” he said at the time via AL.com. “I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is being able to win, and I consider myself a winner. I’ve been lucky with all the great teams I’ve had – we’ve never had a losing season. So that’s something to look forward to, hopefully, for the rest of my career, that’s how it’s going to be.
“I feel like God has blessed me in a lot of ways to be a connector, and I feel like that’s one of my superpowers that I have: I can connect. We come together, and then once you come together, you want to play for each other, and once you give 120 percent effort, no one can stop your team.”
Pavia’s personality, considered by some to be more arrogant than confident, may also have played a role. After finishing second to Mendoza in the Heisman voting, Pavia was spotted at a New York nightclub next to a sign reading “F— Indiana.” Then he posted a photo on social media with friends and a caption that read: “F— ALL THE VOTERS BUT…FAMILY FOR LIFE.”
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia celebrates after the team’s victory against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on November 22, 2025. (Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Pavie later apologized for his decision to post this on his social media.
The Ravens’ rookie minicamp is scheduled to begin Friday and run through the weekend featuring all of the team’s draft picks, undrafted free agents and tryout players.
