Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia signs 3-year deal with Ravens before scheduled tryout: report

The Baltimore Ravens don’t request to spot a tryout from undrafted Vanderbilt backmost Diego Pavia — they’re giving him a contract.

The polarizing Heisman Trophy runner-up reportedly inked a three-yeal woody pinch nan Ravens, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He was scheduled to effort retired for nan squad this weekend, but Baltimore is signing him successful advance.

Of course, two-time MVP backmost Lamar Jackson remains nan team’s starter entering nan 2026 play and beyond. However, they only had Tyler "Snoop" Huntley connected nan roster earlier nan woody for Pavia, who made unfortunate draught history this past weekend.

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Vanderbilt backmost Diego Pavia throws a shot during nan NFL Scouting Combine astatine Lucas Oil Stadium successful Indianapolis, Ind., connected Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

Pavia was not expecting to spell undrafted this weekend, but he became nan first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 to not perceive his sanction called done 7 rounds successful Pittsburgh.

Now, he gets an opportunity to not conscionable show nan Ravens what he’s got, but create nether nan three-year deal.

DIEGO PAVIA'S STRIP CLUB VISIT ADDS TO DRAMA SURROUNDING QB AHEAD OF NFL TRYOUT WITH RAVENS

Pavia was named nan SEC Offensive Player of nan Year and won nan Johnny Unitas Golden Arm for champion upperclassman backmost aft throwing for 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, some of which are single-season schoolhouse records, to springiness nan Commodores their first-ever 10-win season.

Vanderbilt conscionable missed out on nan College Football Playoff aft finishing 10-3.

Pavia yet vanished 2nd successful Heisman voting to Indiana backmost Fernando Mendoza — nan No. 1 wide prime successful this year’s draught by nan Las Vegas Raiders. So, what yet led to Pavia not getting drafted?

While his characteristic whitethorn person factored in, Pavia’s charismatic tallness astatine nan NFL Scouting Combine turned immoderate heads. Vanderbilt had him listed astatine 6-foot, but he measured astatine 5 feet, 9 7/8 inches, which would make him nan shortest backmost successful nan NFL if he were to measurement ft connected nan gridiron today. The mean tallness is 6-foot-2 for an NFL quarterback.

Vanderbilt backmost Diego Pavia throws nan shot during shot pro time astatine Vanderbilt University successful Nashville, Tenn., connected March 20, 2026. (ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

However, those shorter than nan mean person seen success, including Minnesota Vikings' newest member, Kyler Murray, who went first wide to nan Arizona Cardinals successful 2019 coming retired of Oklahoma. He’s listed astatine 5 feet, 10 inches.

Pavia barked backmost astatine critics during nan Senior Bowl successful January regarding his height.

"Yeah, my size has been doubted my full life," he said astatine nan time, via AL.com. "I consciousness for illustration nan only point nan NFL cares astir is tin you win, and I position myself arsenic a winner. I’ve been fortunate pinch each these awesome teams that I’ve had — we’ve ne'er had a losing season. So that’s thing to look guardant to, I hope, for nan remainder of my career, that’s really it’s going to be.

"I consciousness for illustration God has blessed maine successful truthful galore ways to beryllium a connector, and I consciousness for illustration that’s 1 of my superpowers that I’ve sewage — I tin connect. We unite, and past erstwhile you unite, you want to play for 1 another, and erstwhile you springiness 120% effort, there’s nary 1 that tin extremity your team."

Pavia’s personality, viewed by immoderate arsenic much cocky than confident, whitethorn person played a facet arsenic well. After finishing runner-up to Mendoza successful Heisman voting, Pavia was spotted astatine a New York City nightclub adjacent to a motion that read, "F--- Indiana." Then, he posted connected societal media a photograph pinch friends and a caption that read, "F--- ALL THE VOTERS, BUT…FAMILY FOR LIFE."

Vanderbilt backmost Diego Pavia celebrates aft nan team’s triumph against Kentucky astatine FirstBank Stadium successful Nashville, Tenn., connected Nov. 22, 2025. (Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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Pavia later apologized for his determination to station that connected his socials.

Ravens rookie minicamp is scheduled to statesman connected Friday and tally done nan play pinch each nan team’s draught picks, undrafted free agents and tryout players.

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