Diego Pavia, the Vanderbilt quarterback known for his polarizing Pavia style, faced a room full of reporters at the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Friday. He's not shying away from criticism that followed him from college. Now on the edge of the NFL draft, Pavia made it clear he won't change who he is. The event at Lucas Oil Stadium draws top prospects. Pavia plans to throw passes to receivers on Saturday. His words drew attention right away.
Key Takeaways
- Diego Pavia led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season at 10-3, proving he can win big games.
- At just under 5-foot-10, he tells teams to watch his game tape against top competition.
- After a heated Heisman reaction, he calls himself humble but confident from hard work.
- He's getting tips from ex-NFL QB Johnny Manziel and credits Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea for guidance.
Background
Pavia didn't start at a big program. He began at New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college. From there, he moved to New Mexico State. That's where he first got noticed. In 2024, he transferred to Vanderbilt in the tough SEC conference. No one expected much from the Commodores. They hadn't won 10 games since the school started playing football. Pavia changed that. He threw for yards and touchdowns. His team beat strong opponents. They finished 10-3. That run included wins over ranked teams. Vanderbilt fans started to believe.
His path wasn't smooth. Scouts question his height. He measured 5-foot-9 and 7/8 inches at the Senior Bowl last month. That's short for NFL quarterbacks. Most successful ones stand taller. But Pavia points to his record. He played against future first-round picks in the SEC. Those games happened every Saturday. Nothing new about facing big guys. His style draws eyes. Some love his fire. Others worry it goes too far.
The Heisman Trophy moment sealed his reputation. Fernando Mendoza from Indiana won it. Pavia finished second. Right after, he posted on Instagram. The words upset voters and fans. He later said he regretted it. But at the combine, he owned his edge. It's part of what makes him tick. And teams ask about it. They want to know if the fight helps or hurts.
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea stuck by him. Lea called Pavia out when needed. He pushed him to focus. Teammates did the same. Tight end Eli Stowers, also at the combine, kept Pavia in check. Stowers tests on Friday. Their bond helped Pavia grow. Both head to the pros with similar goals. Pavia calls himself the ultimate teammate. He'll do anything for the group.
Johnny Manziel reached out too. The former Heisman winner and NFL quarterback knows the spotlight. Manziel faced his own struggles after college stardom. Now he mentors Pavia. They talk often. Manziel checks in on him and his family. Pavia welcomes the advice. It covers the jump to pro football. Stay in the process. Watch for pitfalls. Manziel's been there.
Pavia's stats back him up. He ranks third among combine quarterbacks in production score. Athleticism looks strong too. He'll skip most tests here. Save those for Vanderbilt's pro day. But the throwing session matters. Scouts watch every pass. One-on-one meetings with teams loom large. That's where personality comes out.
Key Details
Pavia hit the podium Friday. Quarterbacks and wide receivers spoke. Defensive backs and tight ends work out soon. The combine buzzes with prospects. Pavia didn't hold back. He told reporters straight up.
"One thing about me is I don't care what people think about me."
— Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt QB
Short and punchy. That's Pavia. He led Vanderbilt to history. First 10-win year ever. Beat the odds in the SEC. Now scouts poke at his size. His answer? Watch the tape. We've seen him against elite defenses. Big Ten and SEC send the most draftees. He held his own. No excuses.
Teams like his tenacity. The underdog life fuels him. Questions come. But his record stays clean. No big red flags. He stresses humility. Confidence comes from work. Hours in the film room. Extra reps. Process builds it all. If you saw it, you'd get it.
Maturity worries linger. That Heisman post. Social media noise. Off-field talk. Pavia jokes about it sometimes. Says his brain's still growing. But he points to Lea. The coach was always there. Right or wrong. Told him when to dial back. Humbled him. Kept him on track.
Mentors and Teammates
Manziel's role stands out. Texts. Calls. Real friendship. He's around the family. Gives real talk. What to watch for in the NFL. How to handle pressure. Pavia soaks it up. Stowers too. At practice, he'd say calm down. Crossed the line? Get back. They want the best for him.
Lea built trust. Blunt talks. No sugarcoating. Pavia needed that. Wasn't perfect. Made mistakes. But grew. Now he's ready. Dreamed of this since kid days. Man on a mission. Grateful too.
Throwing Saturday. Key moment. Receivers will run routes. Scouts judge arm strength. Accuracy. Decision making. His size won't change. But performance can sway opinions. Pro day follows. More chances.
For context on college football transfers, check out Duke's rise in power rankings. And see how top clubs scout young talent in Europe.
What This Means
Pavia's words set the tone. NFL teams weigh intangibles heavy. Size is fact. Can't fix that. But heart? Fight? That's gold. Some squads love underdogs. They draft guys who scrap. Others want polish. Safe picks. Pavia splits the room. His tape helps. Wins in SEC. Against pros-to-be.
Draft stock could rise. Or stall. Throwing well Saturday boosts him. Meetings reveal more. Does the edge play? Or push teams away? Precedent exists. Short QBs succeed. Like Russell Wilson. Kyler Murray. They prove size secondary. If arm and smarts shine.
Vanderbilt gains too. First 10 wins. Pavia leads the way. More kids notice. Program builds buzz. Lea recruits better. Cycle starts. Stowers joins the draft push. Commodores on map.
For Pavia, it's personal. Kid from military school. JUCO to SEC. Now combine stage. Dream alive. Pressure mounts. But he don't care what they think. That's the line. Watch him throw. See the competitor. Teams decide soon. Draft in April. Spots open. He's in the mix.
This fits bigger trends. Like Real Madrid chasing defenders. Bold moves in sports drafts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Diego Pavia throw at the NFL Combine?
A: Yes. He plans to throw passes on Saturday to impress scouts.
Q: How tall is Diego Pavia?
A: He measured 5-foot-9 7/8 inches at the Senior Bowl. Short for a QB, but he says tape proves he can play.
Q: What was Pavia's Heisman reaction?
A: He posted on Instagram after finishing second, using strong words against voters. Later expressed regret.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Diego Pavia throw at the NFL Combine?
Yes. He plans to throw passes on Saturday to impress scouts.
How tall is Diego Pavia?
He measured 5-foot-9 7/8 inches at the Senior Bowl. Short for a QB, but he says tape proves he can play.
What was Pavia’s Heisman reaction?
He posted on Instagram after finishing second, using strong words against voters. Later expressed regret.
