While there were plenty of football players that tumbled in the NFL Draft last week, none went down harder than Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia, who went undrafted and had to accept a UDFA deal with the Baltimore Ravens. And as his debut in an NFL uniform begins, he's getting as much mockery now as he did during the draft.
Video from the Ravens' ongoing rookie minicamp shows Pavia working on snap drills. While it's hard to gauge how intensely he was meant to do the drill, there wasn't a lot of urgency there.
Jokes pouring in
The bigger issue that NFL fans quickly noticed was Pavia's height. Fans quickly started joking that he doesn't look anything like an NFL quarterback with his frame as it is now.
"Not even being funny, he built like a 15 year old but ima wish him the best out there and hopefully he lands a spot," one user remarked on X.
"Savannah Bananas are calling his name," another user joked.
"Sheesh bro is tiny," wrote a third.
"I really am annoyed by him. They won’t stop asking the rookies about Pavia and this dude is gonna get cut by week 1."
"Built like a fullback lol."
"Did he frost his hair..?"
"Guy thought he was going to be a superstar."
© Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
Pavia became one of the most impactful players in Vanderbilt University football history after transferring in for the 2024 season. In 2024, he immediately transformed the Vanderbilt Commodores offense with his toughness, mobility, and playmaking ability. Pavia passed for 2,293 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions while rushing for 801 yards and 8 touchdowns in 13 games. His dual-threat production helped Vanderbilt become far more competitive in the SEC and gave the program one of its most dynamic offenses in years.
He followed that breakout year with an even better 2025 season, leading Vanderbilt to one of the best campaigns in school history. Pavia completed 267 of 378 passes (70.6-percent) for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, while adding 862 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. His performance earned him SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and the aforementioned runner-up finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. Across two seasons at Vanderbilt, Pavia became the face of the program, elevating the Commodores nationally and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in school history.
But like so many quarterbacks who star in college, the NFL isn't always a perfect or even a decent transition.
