Being the Heisman Trophy runner-up does not guarantee anyone an NFL career, and Diego Pavia is learning that now.
The Baltimore Ravens cut Pavia, the former Vanderbilt University star quarterback, on Thursday. The Ravens open full-squad training camp practices next Wednesday, so Pavia didn’t even make it to the start of camp.
That’s good.
And bad.
Both.
DIEGO PAVIA’S STRIP CLUB VISIT ADDS TO DRAMA SURROUNDING QB AHEAD OF NFL TRYOUT WITH RAVENS
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates after the team’s win Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
It’s probably the best timing for Pavia because he was a long shot to make the Baltimore roster anyway.
After going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft, he is now free to sign with another NFL team before training camp begins, giving coaches a longer look as he competes for a roster spot.
If that’s not an option, one supposes Pavia can set his sights on maybe catching on with a CFL team that might have a QB need as a result of an injury. The CFL season runs through October.
But being cut at this stage is also a blow to Pavia because it says the team that showed the most interest in adding him after the draft, bringing him in for a workout and keeping him around the entire offseason, has decided he’s not good enough.
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson (19) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
The Ravens waived Pavia to make room for veteran center Ethan Pocic on the 90-man roster. That’s the macro view of the roster.
Looking at the team’s quarterback room, Baltimore decided Pavia was the third-best quarterback competing for the No. 3 quarterback job.
And the Ravens didn’t need three guys competing for that back-of-the-roster spot. Baltimore narrowed that competition to veteran Skylar Thompson and rookie Joe Fagnano, who, like Pavia, was signed as an undrafted free agent.
The Ravens, in other words, decided Pavia was the fifth-best quarterback on their roster and they’re only going with four now, with starter Lamar Jackson and presumed backup Tyler Huntley expected to make the roster.
Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores poses with the Heisman Memorial Trophy before the 2025 Heisman Trophy Presentation at Marriott Marquis Hotel on Dec. 13, 2025 in New York City. (Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
So, yes, tough day for Pavia.
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The Ravens had some familiarity with Pavia because new coach Jesse Minter took the advice of friend and Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea, who coached Pavia the past two seasons.
None of that ultimately mattered once the Ravens saw Pavia compete in the offseason.
Neither did his dynamic play at Vanderbilt and status as a Heisman Trophy runner-up.
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