What Vanderbilt's Clark Lea said of Diego Pavia going unpicked in 2026 NFL Draft

What Vanderbilt's Clark Lea said of Diego Pavia going unpicked in 2026 NFL Draft

Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea weighed in on Diego Pavia not getting picked in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The former Commodores quarterback is the first Heisman Trophy runner-up to go undrafted since 2014. The biggest concerns for NFL teams were his size (5-foot-10) and lack of prototypical arm strength, as well as playing in an RPO-based system, where he did his best work outside the pocket. Pavia, who has a fiery personality, also caused controversy with comments made after the Heisman ceremony.

After the three-day draft ended April 25, Pavia was invited to rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens.

"What Diego has accomplished as a member of our program is undeniable, and those who know him best also know that his impact extends far beyond his performance on the field," Lea said in a statement April 27. "Diego has been counted out his entire career, and has proven doubters wrong every step of the way.

"I am excited to watch him write his next chapter with the same tools he has used to get to this point. Not only does everyone here at Vanderbilt believe in Diego, we all expect to see him have a successful career in the NFL."

Vanderbilt tight end Emmanuel Adebi, left. and tight end Eli Stowers, right, run drills during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia runs the 40 yard dash during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward watches football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia gets into passing position during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia warms up during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia runs the 40 yard dash during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt tight end Emmanuel Adebi receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers gets in position for a drill during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia watches his teammates during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt wide receiver Trent Hudson warms up during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, right, speaks with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward speaks with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers chats with quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt tight end Emmanuel Adebi, left. and tight end Eli Stowers, right, run drills during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt tight end Emmanuel Adebi, left. and tight end Eli Stowers, right, run drills during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia runs the 40 yard dash during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward watches football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia gets into passing position during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia warms up during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia runs the 40 yard dash during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt tight end Emmanuel Adebi receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers gets in position for a drill during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia watches his teammates during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt wide receiver Trent Hudson warms up during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, right, speaks with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward speaks with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

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Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers chats with quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.

Diego Pavia 2025 stats

In 2025, Pavia was 267-for-378 passing for 3,539 yards, 29 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran 167 times for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Commodores went 10-3 overall and played in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

He was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Vanderbilt's Clark Lea said of Diego Pavia going undrafted in 2026 NFL Draft