Diego Pavia, a former Vanderbilt quarterback and Heisman finalist, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and is now considering a career in wrestling. He has accepted an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens, but his future in football remains uncertain.
Key points
Diego Pavia went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He is the first Heisman finalist not selected since 2014.
Pavia accepted an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens.
A career pivot to wrestling is a possibility for him.
While you can't entirely rule out a professional football career for Pavia, the odds are stacked against him. It could cause a career pivot if it doesn't work out. Luckily, there is a place where he could thrive, and there's proof it could work: wrestling.
Las Vegas Raiders: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Buffalo Bills: OT Jude Bowry, Boston College
Q&A
Why wasn't Diego Pavia selected in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Diego Pavia wasn't selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the first Heisman finalist not chosen since 2014.
What are the chances of Diego Pavia continuing his football career?
The chances of Diego Pavia continuing his football career are slim, as he has only received an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens.
How could wrestling be a viable career option for Diego Pavia?
Wrestling could be a viable career option for Diego Pavia, as many athletes have successfully transitioned from football to wrestling, showcasing their skills in the ring.
What is the significance of Diego Pavia being a Heisman finalist?
Being a Heisman finalist signifies that Diego Pavia was recognized as one of the top college football players, which adds to the surprise of him going undrafted.
Related Articles
NFL
NFL 2026 offseason key remaining dates: Full team-by-team OTAs and minicamp schedule, plus more to watch for
Check out the key dates for the NFL 2026 offseason, including rookie minicamps!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Robertson calls for ban on O'Sullivan's chalk
Neil Robertson demands ban on Ronnie O'Sullivan's controversial chalk
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Despite lack of twitch, Cowboys 4th-round pick may be switch that's needed
Dallas Cowboys draft LT Overton to enhance run-stopping defense.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Preview
Game 29: Mariners at Twins
Preview: Twins take on Mariners with Prielipp on the mound
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
TST Exclusive: Conversation with Sparks guard Ariel Atkins
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Mariners vs. Twins rain delay updates: Monday, April 27
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
6 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Houston Texans: G Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma
7 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
San Francisco 49ers: DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
8 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Denver Broncos: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
9 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Denver Broncos: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
10 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
New York Jets: QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
11 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Denver Broncos: OL Kage Casey, Boise State
12 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Dallas Cowboys: OT Drew Shelton, Penn State
13 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Indianapolis Colts: G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
14 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Dallas Cowboys: CB Devin Moore, Florida
15 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens: WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
16 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Keionte Scott, Miami (FL)
17 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Los Angeles Chargers: OT Travis Burke, Memphis
18 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Detroit Lions: LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
19 / 19
All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Wesley Williams, Duke
Why Diego Pavia can succeed in WWE, wrestling
It's no secret Pavia was one of college football's biggest heels last season, cutting off promos Vanderbilt's athletic director had to apologize for. Generating that type of heat is exactly what's needed to get crowds to react, one of the most important aspects of the business. If you can get the fans to boo you, then you're making magic happen, and Pavia has done plenty of it. Mix in his wrestling background, which includes a New Mexico state title in high school, and he has a great starting point for becoming a wrestler.
He's already had some interactions with WWE stars, including with Grayson Waller in December.
Former football players in WWE
A look at the history of WWE and you'll realize there are plenty of former football players that made successful transitions into the ring, proving the same could be done for Pavia. That's a long list including names such as:
Recently, there's been an emphasis from WWE to pursue former college athletes and train them for the ring. So far, it has worked, with some football players like Williams and Breakker.
But you don't need to have been on a football field to succeed, with some notable names now leading the next generation of the company, including:
Oba Femi (track and field)
Sol Ruca (acrobatics and tumbling)
Bianca Belair (track and field)
Tiffany Stratton (gymnastics)
Raquel Rodriguez (basketball)
Lash Legend (basketball)
Jaida Parker (soccer)
Kelani Jordan (gymnastics)
There's plenty of evidence that it can work for Pavia, but it will ultimately depend on if he wants to do move on from football, and if he can put it all together for a successful wrestling career.
