Where will Diego Pavia be drafted? What scouting reports say about 2026 NFL Draft chances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Of all the gunslingers slated to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, few have proven as polarizing as Diego Pavia. His on-field bite has earned him admirers, while his off-field bark has brought detractors. Somewhere in between lies Pavia, a six-year senior who traveled across the collegiate landscape before hitting his stride at Vanderbilt.
The 2026 Heisman Trophy runner-up, Pavia's plaudits can't be denied. At his peak, he was one of college football's finest stars — a dizzying blend of skill and personality that bewitched opposing defenses.
There's a lot to like in Pavia's game. He's a natural-born leader, propelling the Commodores up the SEC standings with heroic performances. He's also a high-level operator in the short passing game, known to punish defenses with a death-by-a-thousand-cuts approach.
Still, Pavia's 5-foot-10 frame leaves something to be desired.
So, where will the 24-year-old be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft? Here's what you need to know.MORE: Meet Diego Pavia's mom as well as the rest of his family
Pavia was a late bloomer, only emerging as a Power 5-caliber standout during the final two years of his six-year career. His production at New Mexico State and Vanderbilt was notable. Still, the path for him to be an NFL quarterback appears long and winding.
Pavia fit like a glove in Commodores offensive coordinator Tim Beck's scheme, adorning the field with quick strikes. He figures to slot most comfortably in an offense that revolves around flares, screens and quick slants -- think of Mike McDaniel's old setup with the Dolphins.
Shorter than average and lacking much vigor in his arm, Pavia's limitations are glaring. While his collegiate production put him on par with some of the draft's top talents -- including Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson -- his traits are far more middling.
Pavia's mobility, competitive mindset and popularity figure to garner him some interest as a late Day 3 pick. But that's no certainty -- his diminutive frame, lackluster release and propensity for "backyard football" could scare some teams away.
With that, here's what some notable draft experts have said about Pavia's NFL prospects:
Pavia has a skill set that is both unique and limited. He is accurate in the short-to-intermediate passing game (slants, digs, screens, outs), and his bulldog competitiveness is exceptional in all phases — especially as a runner. Moving the pocket and the quarterback run-game were staples of Vanderbilt’s scheme, and Pavia’s execution made it challenging to defend. But most NFL offenses are far more expansive, so his “backyard football” style will catch up with him against NFL speed.
He’s improvisational, creating explosives that aren’t on the call sheet without playing reckless hero ball. He scans through progressions, throwing with intermediate accuracy, but impatience versus zone can lead to costly mistakes. He can stand and deliver or escape and win with his arm or legs when pressured. However, he lacks ideal mechanics and needs altered launch points for cleaner sight lines and release points. His deep ball is below average. He isn’t explosive or fast, but he’s a force multiplier for the run game, especially near the goal line. Quarterbacks his size rarely make NFL rosters, but his competitiveness should be a plus as long as he’s willing to accept a role as a backup.
Pavia was one of college football’s finest talents across his six-year spell. Here's a look at his numbers throughout his NCAA career.
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