Deion Sanders sends message to Diego Pavia after Heisman finalist goes undrafted in 2026 NFL Draft
Deion Sanders knows a thing or two about how the NFL Draft doesn’t go the way you expect. When Diego Pavia’s name was never mentioned this weekend, Coach Prime made sure the former Vanderbilt quarterback heard from someone who was there.
More precisely, someone son was there.
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“I believe in you, man!” sanding machines wrote to x. “Stay strong and don’t give up. Show them what time it is and never let them forget. Much Love and God bless you.”
That’s a pretty strong vote of confidence and one that Pavia probably needed after the last few days.
Just months ago, the Vanderbilt standout was one of the best players in college football. Pavia threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns in his breakthrough season in 2025, leading him to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
But when the 2026 NFL Draft came and went, Pavia never heard his name called.
This isn’t something you’ll see often. The last Heisman finalist to go undrafted was Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2014. And you’re only looking at a few in the last thirty years.
Heisman Trophy finalist Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia speaks during the NCAA college football news conference ahead of the awards ceremony on December 13, 2025 in New York. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP)
To be fair, there were concerns.
Pavia was only 6 feet tall and 24 years old, already older than many rookies. Teams also reportedly questioned his temperament; It’s something that has become part of his flamboyant on-field persona over the past few seasons.
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Still, there was production. The accolades were there. And usually that’s enough to get your name out there by at least Day 3.
Sanders, of course, is aware of how unpredictable the draft process can be.
His son, Shedeur Sanders, was projected to be a first-round pick before going into the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft. This drop became one of the most discussed points of the draft cycle, and it clearly stuck with Deion.
Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, reacts on the field before their game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., on Nov. 1, 2025. (Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
So when Pavia found itself in a similar, but more extreme situation, Coach Prime stepped in to boost morale.
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The path forward for Pavia is now unclear. Whether that means making it as an undrafted free agent, getting a camp invite, or taking a less traditional route to the league, he has work to do.
But at least he has a very high-profile believer in his corner.
