Diego Pavia, a Heisman Trophy finalist, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking the first such case since 2013. He now faces decisions on his football career's next steps.
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What's next for Diego Pavia? How Heisman finalist can continue football career after going undrafted originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While Diego Pavia was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, the former Vanderbilt quarterback couldn't parlay that into hearing his name called at the NFL Draft.
Pavia was not one of the 257 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since the 2013 season.
While Pavia was a revelation for the Commodores in 2025, his game likely doesn't translate as much to the NFL. The quarterback will have to make a decision about where he wants to play next if he wants to prove he belongs in the league.
Here's a look at Pavia's options moving forward.
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Like all the players who went undrafted, Pavia could still sign with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent. These players usually have a chance to prove themselves through the summer and occasionally earn roster spots with their play during preseason.
Additionally, Pavia could end up trying out for a team in its rookie minicamp to prove he deserves an UDFA contract.
If no NFL team is interested in signing Pavia, the former Vanderbilt quarterback could then go north of the border and sign with a team in the Canadian Football League. This league features many former college and professional players who couldn't make it in the NFL, including , and .
Despite being a Heisman finalist, Pavia's playing style may not have translated well to NFL expectations, leading to his undrafted status.
Pavia can explore opportunities in other leagues, such as the CFL or USFL, or consider joining an NFL practice squad to prove his skills.
Diego Pavia is the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since 2013, highlighting the rarity of this occurrence.
Going undrafted can limit a player's immediate opportunities in the NFL, but it can also motivate them to showcase their talent in alternative leagues.
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There is a CFL team that already owns the rights to negotiate a contract with Pavia if the quarterback chooses this route.
Pavia could also join the United Football League, which plays every spring. This league just finished its 2026 season, so Pavia would have to wait until 2027 to play his first UFL game. Some former NFL players in this league include Matt Corral, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Hakeem Butler and Deon Jackson.
If Pavia can't get an NFL job and doesn't want to play in a different football league, he could certainly retire early and go in a different direction in his post-college career.
Pavia turned 24 years-old in February, making him one of the older players in this years draft class.
Pavia began his career at the New Mexico Military Institute, where he played for two seasons before transferring to New Mexico State. Here's a look at Pavia's stats after he transferred to Division 1.
| Year | Team | Games | Completion percentage | Passing yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer rating |
| 2022 | New Mexico State | 12 | 53.2% | 1,450 | 13 | 6 | 133.5 |
| 2023 | New Mexico State | 15 | 60.4% | 2,973 | 26 | 9 | 147.1 |
| 2024 | Vanderbilt | 13 | 59.4% | 2,293 | 20 | 4 | 143.5 |
| 2025 | Vanderbilt | 13 | 70.6% | 3,539 | 29 | 8 | 170.5 |