Diego Pavia told ‘story is just beginning’ after making unwanted draft history with $8.1bn team linked

Diego Pavia is the greatest player in Vanderbilt history, but he went undrafted.

There are several reasons why teams may have overlooked Pavia. He is 5-foot-9 and 7/8, and his arm strength doesn’t match up to some of the top quarterbacks at this year’s draft.

Getty

But the real damage may have been done after losing out on the Heisman Trophy to Fernando Mendoza.

After finishing more than 900 points behind the eventual No.1 pick, Pavia posted a picture of himself and his offensive linemen on his Instagram story with the caption: “F-ALL THE VOTERS, BUT … FAMILY FOR LIFE.”

He would later apologize, but it may have contributed to the fall in his draft stock. 

Pavia became the first Heisman Trophy finalist since Jordan Lynch in 2014 to go undrafted, according to The Athletic.

Ryan Clark, a Super Bowl winner turned NFL Insider also went undrafted in 2002, and he had some words of encouragement for the players whose names were not called.

“You can’t see it right now, but your story is just beginning,” Clark tweeted.

“I know your phone didn’t ring, no one called your name, & a dream has been delayed… but all you need is 1 opportunity. 

“Don’t let this weekend define you nor your value. You’ve put the work in before. It’s time to lock in, & do more. 

“Know you belong, and it’s your job to convince those who don’t. It’s still your time! Don’t let anyone tell you different!”

Pavia helped turn around a Vanderbilt program that had won two games in 2023 and led them to a seven-win season in 2024 and a 10-win campaign last season. 

Getty

Getty

In 2025, he threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading Vanderbilt to a ReliaQuest Bowl appearance.

Pavia was named First-Team All-SEC and First-Team All-American, plus SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the best upperclassmen quarterback in college football.

Jets urged to take a flyer on Pavia

Pavia is now an undrafted free agent, and he has shown talent that is worth a flyer.

One of the teams who should be interested, according to Sam Profeta of The Sporting News, is the New York Jets.

“Like Arizona, the Jets also drafted a quarterback in former Clemson QB Cade Klubnik, whom they selected in the fourth round,” Profeta writes. 

“This Jets QB room could go down as the worst in the NFL, with Geno Smith slated to start Week 1, followed by Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe. They have absolutely nothing to lose in giving Pavia a chance.

Getty

“Especially since they’ve started a total of 12 quarterbacks since drafting Sam Darnold back in 2018. 

“At this point, the Jets just need answers under center, and they have little risk, but all the reward is in at least signing Pavia to a training camp deal.”

The consensus is that the Jets reached on Klubnik, but that shows that they like him. 

The reality is the Jets may pick a first-round QB in the 2027 draft, with their eyes set on Arch Manning.

In the meantime, they should see if any quarterback, including Pavia, is a keeper.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.