OWINGS MILLS -- The Baltimore Ravens added a pair of intriguing undrafted rookie quarterbacks to their roster Tuesday, signing former Vanderbilt signal-caller Diego Pavia and University of Connecticut product Joe Fagnano just days before the team's rookie minicamp begins.
According to ESPN and multiple reports, Pavia signed a three-year contract with the Ravens shortly after accepting a tryout invitation following the 2026 NFL Draft. The move marks a rapid transition from invitee to signed player for the dual-threat quarterback who made waves in the SEC last season.
Fagnano, who spent the 2025 season at UConn after transferring from Maine, also signed with the Ravens in the immediate post-draft period, as the franchise continues its tradition of aggressively pursuing undrafted free agents for hidden talent.
Diego Pavia: The SEC Star Arrives in Baltimore
Pavia was one of the most fascinating stories in college football last season. A former junior college standout who initially landed at New Mexico State, he followed head coach Jerry Kill to Vanderbilt and promptly became the face of the Commodores' program. His signature moment came early in the 2025 season when he led Vanderbilt to a stunning upset of Alabama in Nashville, completing 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for another score.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing approximately 210 pounds, Pavia does not possess the prototypical NFL frame, but his game is built on toughness, improvisation, and a competitive streak that cannot be coached. He rushed for 800 yards and eight touchdowns last season while throwing for more than 2,400 yards with 19 passing scores.
For a Ravens organization that has built its identity around a mobile, powerful quarterback in Lamar Jackson, the addition of a similar stylistic archetype in Pavia makes sense from a developmental standpoint. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle now has another athletic passer to work with in practice who can replicate some of the things Jackson does when the defense prepares for game days.
Pavia's path to making the 53-man roster is steep. Jackson is firmly entrenched as the starter, and the Ravens typically carry two or three quarterbacks actively. Tyler Huntley provides veteran backup stability, and the team maintains developmental options as well. But Pavia's ability to contribute on special teams -- he played situational snaps on coverage units at Vanderbilt -- gives him a unique pathway that most quarterbacks don't have.
His signing represents a low-risk, high-reward flier for general manager Eric DeCosta, who has consistently shown willingness to churn the bottom of the roster with players who bring an edge and chip on their shoulder.
Joe Fagnano: Size, Experience, and a Traditional Skill Set
Fagnano arrives in Baltimore with a different profile. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he has the traditional size NFL teams look for in a pocket passer. His journey has been circuitous: he began his college career at Maine, where he was a multi-year starter, before transferring to UConn for his final season of eligibility.
At UConn in 2025, Fagnano threw for 2,800 yards with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions, showing improved decision-making and accuracy as the season progressed. He completed 63% of his passes, a significant improvement from his Maine days, and demonstrated the ability to work through progressions in a pro-style offense.
Fagnano's skill set is more traditional than Pavia's. He is not a dynamic runner, but he moves well enough within the pocket to extend plays. His arm strength is above average, and he throws a catchable ball on intermediate routes--the kind of throws that matter most in a timing-based NFL passing game.
For the Ravens, Fagnano represents a potential practice squad candidate who can run the scout team and continue to develop. His experience in multiple offensive systems also could make him a valuable asset in the meeting room.
The Ravens' Quarterback Room Gets Crowded
With the additions of Pavia and Fagnano, the Ravens now have four quarterbacks on the offseason roster: Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, Diego Pavia, and Joe Fagnano. Jackson remains the unquestioned leader of the franchise, coming off another MVP-caliber season in 2025. Behind him, Huntley offers stability and mentorship. The two undrafted rookies will contend for the third quarterback role or, more likely, a spot on the practice squad.
Head coach Jesse Minter and his staff have a long track record of developing quarterbacks. From Joe Flacco to Jackson, from Tyrod Taylor to the developmental projects who have cycled through the building, Baltimore has invested heavily in the position beyond just the starter.
The rookie minicamp, scheduled to begin later this week, will be the first significant audition for both Pavia and Fagnano. It is a low-pressure environment designed to teach the basics of the playbook while evaluating how quickly players absorb information and execute.
For Pavia, the transition is particularly challenging. The jump from the SEC to the NFL is significant even for drafted players. For an undrafted free agent who took a junior college detour before starring at Vanderbilt, the odds are long. But Pavia has demonstrated resilience throughout his career.
Why the Ravens Prioritize Undrafted Talent
Casual fans sometimes scoff at undrafted free agent signings, viewing them as training camp fillers. But the Ravens have developed a reputation as one of the NFL's best organizations at identifying and developing undrafted talent.
Notable Ravens who went undrafted include long snapper Morgan Cox, running back La'Ron McClure, offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, and others who became key contributors on contending teams. The organization treats the undrafted free agent period with the same seriousness as the draft itself, assigning scouts to evaluate hundreds of prospects who did not hear their names called.
Quarterback, in particular, is a position where the Ravens have been willing to take flyers on unconventional prospects. The team signed undrafted quarterbacks Trace McSorley and Anthony Brown in previous years, giving them developmental reps in preseason games.
Pavia and Fagnano fit that mold. Neither was projected to be drafted--Pavia due to his size and unconventional style, Fagnano because of his small-school background and limited exposure to top competition--but both possess traits that the Ravens believe can be refined.
What to Watch in Rookie Minicamp
For fans attending or following rookie minicamp, there are key areas to watch with these two quarterbacks.
For Pavia, the main question is how quickly he can adapt to playing under center, taking snaps from a center, and reading NFL coverages. His Vanderbilt offense leaned heavily on run-pass options and zone reads, which do translate to the Ravens' offense, but the complexity of NFL defenses will be a major adjustment.
For Fagnano, the focus will be on arm talent and processing speed. While he has the size and arm strength scouts covet, he must prove he can get through his reads quickly enough to succeed in a timing-based system.
Both players will also be evaluated on their ability to handle the playbook. The Ravens' offense, coordinated by offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, requires quarterbacks to process protections, route adjustments, and audibles at the line of scrimmage. This is a significant mental challenge for any rookie, drafted or undrafted.
Looking Ahead
The Ravens are coming off another deep playoff run in 2025 and have Super Bowl aspirations for 2026. The additions of Pavia and Fagnano will not make headlines on SportsCenter, but they form part of the essential infrastructure within a well-run organization.
Baltimore is not seeking a new starting quarterback. The franchise is committed to Lamar Jackson and winning with him. But the backup quarterback position is crucial. One injury can change a season, and the Ravens want to ensure they have capable options who can step in and execute the offense if needed.
Pavia and Fagnano are longshots. Most undrafted free agents never play a regular-season snap. But if history has taught us anything about the Ravens, it is this: never count out a player who gets a foot in the door in Owings Mills.
These two quarterbacks now have theirs. The work begins this week at rookie minicamp.
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