NFL news: Diego Pavia faces challenge from Ravens coach
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The Baltimore Ravens opened the door for undrafted quarterback Diego Pavia to compete for a roster spot after signing with the team.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter put the ball in Pavia’s hands to create the final roster before the end of the summer.
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Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia walks off the field during the second half against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on August 30, 2025. (Steve Roberts/Imagn Images)
“Now he’s at the door and says, ‘Show us what you can do,'” Minter told reporters on Saturday. via ESPN. “And I can say that, just like all the undrafted rookies.”
Pavia will likely compete for the third spot on the quarterback depth chart. Former UConn Huskies quarterback Joe Fagnano is also on the roster. As of right now, Lamar Jackson is the starting quarterback and Tyler Huntley is his backup.
The SEC Offensive Player of the Year threw for 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns while helping the Commodores get back on the map. Vanderbilt was 10-3 last season and nearly made the College Football Playoff.
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Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter attends the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 24, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Pavia finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, losing to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza; He will also be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Pavia was also in the draft pool, but teams were unable to select him during the three-day event, triggering some unfortunate events.
Pavia blew away Heisman Trophy voters when he finished second behind Mendoza.
“F-All voters,” he wrote with a thumbs-down emoji. “But…family for life.”
He later apologized for the outburst on social media.
The former Vandy star became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since 2014. The last person to enter the category was former Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2013 and finished third in the voting.
Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia holds the heart symbol as he leaves the game in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on November 22, 2025. (Steve Roberts/Imagn Images)
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“(Pavia) had some experiences that were learning experiences where he could learn and get better. I don’t think anyone would object to that,” Minter said. “But when you talk to the people in that building (at Vanderbilt) and what he does as a player, he shows up early every day and works really hard.”
