Diego Pavia, a quarterback from Vanderbilt, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. Following this, he expressed frustration on Instagram, stating, 'F*** the NFL, I write my own path.'
The NFL delivered a record-setting 2026 NFL Draft this past week, packed with big moments, blockbuster trades, and life-changing selections.
The draft also produced several disappointments. Diego Pavia, a quarterback from Vanderbilt Commodores football, went unselected after three days.
Teams had already viewed Pavia as an unlikely pick. Many cited his short stature and off-field perception as concerns.
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After going undrafted, Pavia addressed the situation. In a since-deleted Instagram post, he wrote, “F*** the NFL, I write my own path.”
That reaction likely won’t sit well with teams, even though he deleted the post. The former Heisman finalist remained a polarizing figure throughout the draft process.
Reports also noted that Pavia entered the draft without an agent. Despite those concerns, he still showed upside.
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Pavia transformed the program at Vanderbilt. He helped make the team competitive and shifted its trajectory.
His performance earned him a spot as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, though he faced long odds to win. His reaction after losing further fueled questions about his draft stock.
After the Heisman results, Pavia posted a photo criticizing voters. He was later seen partying with a sign that used vulgar language toward Indiana Hoosiers football, the winner’s school.
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Diego Pavia went undrafted due to concerns about his short stature and off-field perception.
After the draft, Diego Pavia posted on Instagram, expressing frustration with the NFL by saying, 'F*** the NFL, I write my own path.'
Teams had viewed Diego Pavia as an unlikely pick, but specific teams interested in him were not detailed in the article.
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Combined with his unconventional size and a poor showing at the Senior Bowl, those incidents caused his draft chances to fade.
Still, reports indicate that Pavia has received a rookie minicamp invite from the Baltimore Ravens. The invitation gives him a chance to prove he belongs on an NFL roster.
In the end, Pavia may regret how he handled parts of the draft process, including his reaction to going undrafted.
The question now: will he earn a contract with an NFL team?