It's been a rough stretch for Diego Pavia. The former Vanderbilt standout, who lit up college football with over 3,500 passing yards and 39 total touchdowns in his final season, saw his NFL path hit another pothole this week. After signing with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, Pavia was waived just before training camp, and now, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, no team put in a claim for him.
Pavia, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, became the first player in 12 years with that honor to go undrafted. That alone was a surprise. But the Ravens gave him a shot, and head coach Jesse Minter had praise for the young quarterback's work ethic. "[Pavia has] had some experiences that are learning experiences that he could learn from and be better from," Minter said earlier this offseason. "But when you talk to the people inside that building [at Vanderbilt] and what he's about as a player, he is showing up early every day and working really hard."
Unfortunately for Pavia, hard work alone couldn't keep him on the roster. The Ravens needed to make room for center Ethan Pocic, and with Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, Skylar Thompson, and Joe Fagnano already in the quarterback room, Pavia was the odd man out. The move wasn't about his talent—it was about numbers. But the waiver process didn't bring any takers, leaving Pavia as a free agent for the second time in his young pro career.
So what now for the dual-threat signal-caller? The NFL season is long, and injuries happen. Teams often scramble for quarterback depth as the year progresses, so it's far from over for Pavia. He could land on a practice squad or get a call from a team in need. The Ravens' decision to waive him doesn't have to be the end of his NFL dream. In fact, the release came just before camp, which means he's free to sign elsewhere now.
If the NFL doesn't pan out immediately, there's another option: the CFL. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have Pavia on their negotiation list, and the Canadian league has a history of giving quarterbacks a second chance to develop. It's a path that's worked for plenty of players before, and with Pavia's mobility and arm strength, he could thrive north of the border. The CFL door is definitely open for him.
For now, Pavia waits. His college career was nothing short of spectacular—he was the engine of Vanderbilt's offense, a Heisman finalist, and a player who seemed destined for the pros. But the NFL is a business, and sometimes it takes a few detours to find the right fit. Whether it's in the NFL, CFL, or another league, Pavia's talent suggests he'll get another chance. The question is just when and where.
This isn't the end of the story for Diego Pavia. It's just another chapter. And as any sports fan knows, the best comebacks often start with a setback.
