Baltimore, MD -- It's not often that a Heisman Trophy finalist takes an unconventional path into the NFL, but that's exactly what Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is doing. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Pavia has accepted an invitation to attend the Baltimore Ravens' rookie minicamp from May 1-3 on a tryout basis. He will not arrive with a contract but with the opportunity to earn one.
For a player who was the face of college football's most surprising resurgence in 2025, going undrafted stings. Yet the invitation itself is a lifeline--and for a Ravens organization perpetually seeking developmental quarterback talent, it's a low-risk, high-reward opportunity worth watching closely.
The Unlikely Heisman Run
If you weren't paying close attention to Vanderbilt football last season, you missed one of the most compelling individual performances in recent memory. Pavia, a former junior college transfer who made his early mark at New Mexico State, took Nashville by storm. His arrival instantly transformed the Commodores from SEC cellar dwellers into legitimate contenders. Under his relentless playmaking and unshakeable confidence, Vanderbilt won nine games, toppled two top-10 teams, and made a bowl game for the first time since 2018.
Pavia's statistics were remarkable. He threw for more than 3,200 yards and 28 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for over 1,100 yards with 12 scores. He became the first Vanderbilt player ever named SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Though ultimately falling short in the Heisman Trophy voting, his campaign captured the imagination of the football world hungry for underdog stories. His skill in extending plays, delivering accurate throws on the move, and producing clutch moments made him a constant threat to opposing defenses.
Still, at draft time, the calls didn't come. Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 215 pounds, Pavia lacks the prototypical NFL quarterback size teams prefer. His arm strength is solid but not elite, and his playstyle--which heavily features designed runs and improvisation--raises durability concerns at the professional level. The NFL often views such quarterbacks as gadget players or developmental projects rather than franchise cornerstones.
Why the Ravens?
Baltimore's interest in Pavia aligns with their recent quarterback development philosophy. The Ravens value dynamic athleticism and improvisation at the position, a blueprint established by former NFL MVP and two-time Pro Bowler Lamar Jackson. While Pavia isn't on Jackson's level athletically, Baltimore's offense has customized schemes to maximize mobile quarterbacks' unique skill sets.
General manager Eric DeCosta and head coach Jesse Minter consistently maintain a third quarterback spot on the roster or practice squad. Baltimore often targets undrafted free agents with distinctive talents to fill that role. Recent examples include Tyler Huntley and Trace McSorley, who each provided unique packages within the offense. Pavia's dual-threat capability fits perfectly within this mold.
The timing works in Pavia's favor as well. With Lamar Jackson firmly entrenched as the starter and veteran backup Josh Johnson no longer on the roster, Baltimore has a clear need for young developmental depth. Rookie minicamp provides exactly the environment where an undrafted player can showcase their football IQ, athleticism, and capacity to adapt to NFL coverages.
A Competitive Tryout Landscape
Pavia won't be alone in competing for a roster spot. Schefter also reported that Connecticut quarterback Joe Fagnano is invited to try out with the Ravens. Fagnano, a 6-foot-3 pro-style passer who helped revitalize the UConn program, offers a contrasting skill set to Pavia's dual-threat profile. Both quarterbacks have the potential to impress enough to merit further consideration.
Baltimore's rookie minicamp roster will also feature the team's draft picks and several undrafted free agents all vying for a chance to prove themselves. For Pavia, the path to a contract is straightforward: demonstrate that his college productivity was not a system illusion, show the ability to read and process NFL defenses quickly, and prove his athleticism can translate against faster, stronger competition.
What's Next
Baltimore's rookie minicamp runs May 1-3 at the team's facility in Owings Mills, Maryland. During this period, Pavia will engage in drills, walkthroughs, and classroom instruction with the coaching staff led by head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. A standout performance could lead to a contract offer immediately following minicamp or at least a spot on the 90-man roster heading into organized team activities (OTAs).
The odds are long for undrafted tryout players; many do not make the team. However, Pavia's collegiate journey has been defined by overcoming expectations. He led Vanderbilt to a stunning upset over Alabama in Tuscaloosa, a feat not achieved by the program since 1984. From junior college obscurity to Heisman finalist, accepting a minicamp tryout is simply another chapter in his fight to prove the NFL wrong.
For Ravens fans, Pavia's arrival adds an intriguing subplot to an offseason brimming with optimism. Under new head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, the offense is expected to continue evolving. While Lamar Jackson remains the undisputed leader of Baltimore's quarterback room, having a dynamic competitor like Pavia pushing for a roster spot can only raise the group's energy and preparedness.
As early May approaches, all eyes will be on Owings Mills--and on the undersized, resilient quarterback who refuses to be defined by his draft snub. Diego Pavia has been counted out before; don't be surprised if he makes the most of his chance to continue defying the odds and carving out a path in the NFL.