After a college career in which he tormented the Auburn Tigers with a perfect 3-0 record his first victory coming with New Mexico State and the next two as the leader of Vanderbilt Diego Pavia’s football journey will continue.
Though he went unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Pavia landed a new opportunity on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ravens are signing the former Vanderbilt quarterback to a three-year contract. Pavia had been scheduled for a tryout this weekend, but Baltimore opted to sign him early.
Pavia was set to attend a minicamp with the Ravens this weekend, but the team apparently felt no further evaluation was needed. His deal likely includes few guaranteed dollars, meaning he’ll face an uphill battle to earn a roster spot during summer camp.
Pavia joins a quarterbacks room that also added UConn’s Joe Fagnano on Tuesday. At 6’4″, Fagnano has a more traditional NFL frame than Pavia. Still, Pavia’s role in Vanderbilt’s 10-3 season in 2025 which earned him a Heisman nomination makes him a success story that, technically, is still being written.
Hugh Freeze laughed at Diego Pavia when the QB asked to be recruited to Auburn
Pavia clearly enjoyed playing at Jordan-Hare Stadium, highlighted by New Mexico State’s infamous 31-10 road win over Auburn in 2023. The Albuquerque native asked Hugh Freeze to recruit him to the Tigers. Instead, Freeze laughed in his face—perhaps providing more motivation than any other single figure in the sport as Pavia worked his way to the NFL. These small details shouldn’t be forgotten when looking back on the Freeze era. Not only did Freeze avoid seeking an upgrade at quarterback, but he also mocked a potential one after being embarrassed under the lights at Jordan-Hare.
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