Heisman Runner-Up Diego Pavia Gets Ravens Minicamp Shot

Diego Pavia's dream of playing in the NFL isn't over—it's just getting started in a different way than he expected.

The former Vanderbilt quarterback, who finished runner-up in this year's Heisman Trophy voting, accepted an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens' rookie minicamp after going undrafted over the weekend. He became the first Heisman finalist since 2014 to not hear his name called through all seven rounds, but he's ready to show what he can do on a tryout basis.

Pavia's college career speaks volumes about his ability to win. He threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, both single-season school records, while leading Vanderbilt to its first-ever 10-win season. The Commodores finished 10-3, just missing the College Football Playoff, and Pavia took home SEC Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award.

So what kept teams from drafting him? His official height at the NFL Scouting Combine surprised some scouts. While Vanderbilt listed him at 6 feet, he measured at 5 feet, 9 7/8 inches, which would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL currently.

Pavia fired back at critics during the Senior Bowl in January. "My size has been doubted my whole life," he said. "I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is can you win, and I view myself as a winner."

He has every reason to feel confident. Throughout his college career, Pavia never had a losing season, proving that winning matters more than measurables.

Why This Inspires

History shows that shorter quarterbacks can thrive in the NFL. Kyler Murray, listed at 5 feet, 10 inches, went first overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 and recently signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Success isn't measured in inches—it's measured in wins, leadership, and heart.

Pavia called his ability to connect with teammates one of his "superpowers," and that intangible quality can't be taught. "Once you unite, you want to play for one another, and once you give 120% effort, there's no one that can stop your team," he said.

Now he gets his shot with the Ravens to prove that his college success wasn't a fluke. While Lamar Jackson is firmly entrenched as Baltimore's starting quarterback, a strong showing in minicamp could earn Pavia an invitation to training camp this summer.

Sometimes the best stories don't start with being picked first—they start with someone who refuses to give up.