Diego Pavia is the first undrafted Heisman Trophy finalist since Jordan Lynch in 2014. Both players share notable similarities and Pavia will attend the Baltimore Ravens' rookie minicamp from May 1-3.
Key points
Diego Pavia is the first undrafted Heisman finalist since 2014.
Jordan Lynch was the last undrafted Heisman finalist before Pavia.
Pavia will attend the Baltimore Ravens' rookie minicamp.
Both players have similar career trajectories.
Diego PaviaJordan LynchBaltimore RavensHeisman Trophy
Comparing Diego Pavia, Jordan Lynch, the last two undrafted Heisman Trophy finalists
Former Vanderbilt football quarterback Diego Pavia became the first Heisman Trophy finalist not taken in the NFL Draft since Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2014.
And it turns out that Pavia and Lynch shared many similarities.
Following the draft, Pavia accepted an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens' rookie minicamp, which is May 1-3.
Pavia, who led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season, could sign a contract for likely the league minimum. That would allow him to participate in the Ravens' training camp and preseason, competing for a place on the 53-man roster.
Comparing Diego Pavia to Jordan Lynch, the last undrafted Heisman finalist
Diego Pavia finished runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to a 16-0 record and the national championship.
Lynch finished third in the 2013 Heisman voting behind the winner Jameis Winston, a quarterback who led Florida State to a 14-0 record and the national championship, and the runner-up AJ McCarron from Alabama.
Pavia threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He was a dual-threat quarterback who also rushed for 862 yards on 167 attempts and scored 10 touchdowns. He was the SEC Offensive player of the year.
Q&A
Who is Diego Pavia and why is he significant in football?
Diego Pavia is a former Vanderbilt quarterback who became the first undrafted Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014, highlighting a rare achievement in college football.
What similarities exist between Diego Pavia and Jordan Lynch?
Both Diego Pavia and Jordan Lynch are undrafted Heisman Trophy finalists, showcasing similar career paths and challenges in transitioning to the NFL.
When is Diego Pavia's rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens?
Diego Pavia's rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens is scheduled for May 1-3.
What year did Jordan Lynch become an undrafted Heisman Trophy finalist?
Jordan Lynch became an undrafted Heisman Trophy finalist in 2014.
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Lynch was also a dual threat. He passed for 2,892 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a senior while rushing for 1,920 yards on 292 attempts with 23 touchdowns. He also had a 17-yard touchdown catch.
What did Diego Pavia do for Vanderbilt vs Jordan Lynch for NIU?
In two seasons, Pavia took Vanderbilt, which finished with a 2-10 record and in seventh-place in the SEC East the year before his arrival in 2024, to a 10-3 record and the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Commodores were 7-6 in Pavia's junior season and defeated Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl.
Pavia also led Vanderbilt to a 40-35 upset of then-No. 1 Alabama in 2024, completing 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. It was Vanderbilt's first win over a top-five team.
In his four seasons at NIU, Lynch led the Huskies to a 24-4 record as a starter, the 2012 Mid-American Conference championship, and an Orange Bowl appearance. He set five NCAA and 25 school records, including becoming the first FBS player to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a single season.
Who was taller, Diego Pavia or Jordan Lynch?
Much was made of Diego Pavia's height, which was listed at 5-feet-10⅛ inches at the 2026 NFL Combine. He was measured at 5-foot-9⅞ inches at the 2025 Senior Bowl.
That is short for most quarterbacks, especially in the NFL.
Lynch measured 6-foot, ⅛ inches at the 2014 NFL Combine. That's also short for the NFL.
Pavia weighed 207 pounds at the combine, and Lynch weighed 217 pounds.
What happened to Diego Pavia and Jordan Lynch after NFL Draft snub?
Even after being snubbed in the NFL Draft, Pavia will still have the opportunity to play on the next level after being invited by the Baltimore Ravens on April 26 to attend their rookie minicamp.
After going unselected in the 2014 NFL Draft, Jordan Lynch participated in the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp. Instead of quarterback, Lynch was tried out at running back by the Bears and was cut before the regular season.
After that, Lynch spent two seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League before ending his playing career.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
