Hopefully Diego Pavia took some law courses at Vanderbilt.
The polarizing Vanderbilt quarterback said he was “representing himself” when he negotiated his return to Vanderbilt this past season.
“I’m representing myself,” Pavia told Jon Gruden in his “QB Class” feature. “I didn’t think it was fair that someone was going to represent me and take five to 10 percent. Ain’t nobody taking my money, I’ll tell you that.”
Diego Pavia speaking with Jon Gruden. @BarstoolGruden/Facebook
That’ll be less of a problem if he makes to the NFL, where his agent, First Round Management’s Malki Kawa, will be capped at three percent of a player’s contract.
Pavia provided some insight into his negotiations to return to Vanderbilt this past season that offered some unusual tactics.
He transferred to Vandy for the 2024 season after spending two years with New Mexico State, and said he had a few potential options in the transfer portal should he have transferred last offseason.
“I knew where I wanted to stay. I told the (general manager), ‘You guys kind of got me by the balls. You guys know Coach (Jerry) Kill, Coach (Tim) Beck is here, you know I’m coming back, let’s find a fair number that I can come back for,” Pavia said. “And so we worked it out.”
Most folks would say that telling someone you’re negotiating against “You kind of got me by the balls” is a fantastic strategy, although maybe Michael Scott would approve.
It all worked out for Pavia this past campaign with the senior throwing 29 touchdown passes to eight interceptions to earn Heisman finalist honors while leading Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record.
Despite the success, there are questions about his viability at the next level.
There are concerns about his size — he’s been listed anywhere between 5-foot-9 and 6-foot — and there are questions about his character after he said “F–k all the voters” following Fernando Mendoza winning the Heisman Trophy.
Diego Pavia during the NFL Combine. Getty Images
His family also has created extra distractions, including his brother being arrested twice this past season.
The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy ranks him as the No. 9 quarterback in this class, which indicates he will be a Day 3 pick at best.