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Heisman Finalist Diego Pavia Goes Undrafted, Panthers Interested

4/26/2026

Summary

Pavia Goes Undrafted

Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt quarterback, went undrafted in the April 23-25, 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
He became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014.
Scouts cited his sub-5-foot-10 height and 198-203-pound weight as major concerns, projecting him as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Despite interest from the Carolina Panthers, Pavia remains eligible to sign as an undrafted free agent.

Summary

Pavia Undrafted

NFL teams expressed heightened skepticism about Pavia’s prospects during the three days before the draft because analysts said his outspoken, “swagged-up” demeanor may have contributed to their reluctance.
Pavia publicly asserted his height will not prevent him from succeeding in the NFL.
The article places Pavia among historically short quarterbacks, citing Eddie LeBaron and Davey O’Brien (both 5-foot-7) and recent short QBs such as Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson and Drew Brees.

History

Historical Context

In 2014, a record 98 underclassmen entered the NFL draft, yet 5-foot-10 Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch went undrafted despite a 2,000-yard season, illustrating the league’s preference for taller signal-callers exemplified by 6-foot-5 Cam Newton’s first-overall selection in 2011. The same size bias resurfaces in 2026 as Vanderbilt’s 5-foot-9 Diego Pavia also faces undrafted-free-agent odds.

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Pavia Goes Undrafted

Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt quarterback, went undrafted in the April 23-25, 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
He became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014.
Scouts cited his sub-5-foot-10 height and 198-203-pound weight as major concerns, projecting him as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Despite interest from the Carolina Panthers, Pavia remains eligible to sign as an undrafted free agent.

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