ESPN's Adam Schefter said, based on some of the visits to NFL teams that Diego Pavia has made, Schefter expects the former Vanderbilt quarterback to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In his latest notes column, Schefter did not say which round he believes Pavia will be selected in, but he will get the opportunity to prove his critics wrong, who say he doesn't meet NFL measurables. Pavia visited the Carolina Panthers on April 7.
“Some teams are taking a closer look," Schefter wrote. "The Panthers recently had Pavia in for a visit, and others are doing their own work on him. Expect his name to be called this weekend, allowing him to set out to prove he can win wherever he plays.”
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, 2026.1 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt 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, 2026.1 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt 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, 2026.2 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia runs the 40 yard dash during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.3 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.4 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersTennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward watches football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.5 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia gets into passing position during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.6 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia warms up during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.7 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.8 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia runs the 40 yard dash during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.9 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt tight end Emmanuel Adebi receives a pass during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.10 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.11 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers gets in position for a drill during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.12 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia watches his teammates during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.13 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt wide receiver Trent Hudson warms up during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.14 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersTennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, right, speaks with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.15 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersTennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward speaks with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.16 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.17 / 17Vanderbilt football pro day features Diego Pavia, Eli StowersVanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers chats with quarterback Diego Pavia during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.GRADING DIEGO PAVIA'S PRO DAY: Grading Diego Pavia's performance at Vanderbilt football pro day
Pavia was the SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2024 and the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2025. He threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns, and rushed for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns in the 2025 season.
"One of (Pavia's) strongest traits is his confidence," Schefter wrote. "He says he believes his skills rival any QB in this draft, and that teams are making a mistake going off potential and measurables rather than production and intangibles."
Pavia addressed his 5-foot-10 height on Barstool Sports' "Jon Gruden's QB Class."
"The guys that I'm playing every single Saturday are the guys you're drafting first round," Pavia said. "So why does 5-10 even really matter? Go watch the tape."
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Adam Schefter said former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia will be drafted