Even after being a Heisman Trophy finalist, Vanderbilt\u2019s Diego Pavia surprisingly went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, that didn\u2019t stop his NFL future. Pavia is signing a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. But the deal exposes a stark financial drop-off from his NIL earnings during the QB\u2019s last season with the Commodores.<\/p>\n
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If the player remains on the active roster, UDFA contracts have a total value often exceeding $1.5 million. Considering that, Pavia\u2019s going to get between $885,000 and $1,005,000, per NFL Operations<\/a>. While the NFL rookie minimum base salary for the 2026 season is approximately $885,000, it is still a big cut from what he was making playing college football.<\/p>\n In his final year at Vanderbilt, Pavia earned nearly $2.5 million in NIL money. Comparing that with his first-year NFL pay shows a $1 million loss. At least it is better than the UFL, in which his base salary would have been roughly $64,000 for a 10-game season. However, while standard UDFA contracts have low initial guarantees, top priority free agents in recent years have seen guarantees ranging from $250,000 to $300,000.<\/p>\n Ravens are signing former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia to a three-year deal, per source. Pavia was supposed to try out this weekend, but the Ravens signed him in advance. pic.twitter.com\/UfDEabnXo4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Given that Pavia has a chance to earn more in the future, his draft snub was shocking. Pavia became the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since 2014, and his draft stock was impacted by concerns over his 5\u201910\u201d height and \u201cfiery\u201d personality. Pavia is also a 24-year-old rookie, which teams often view as having a lower developmental ceiling, with less room to grow and teach new things.<\/p>\n Despite that, Pavia\u2019s mobility with 3,094 career rushing yards and 31 TDs makes him a logical stylistic backup who can run the Ravens\u2019 existing playbooks more effectively than traditional pocket passers.<\/p>\n The proven production after leading Vanderbilt<\/a> to its first-ever 10-win season makes him a unique developmental prospect who fits the Ravens\u2019 offensive identity. Then, the roster depth also plays a role. Before signing Pavia, the Ravens had only two QBs on their roster: Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.<\/p>\n To cap it off, Ravens DC Jesse Minter previously worked with Pavia\u2019s college coach, Clark Lea, at Vanderbilt in 2021. This familiarity likely provided the front office with deeper insight into the QB\u2019s work ethic and leadership. Although he originally accepted a minicamp invite as a \u201ctryout\u201d candidate, the team opted to sign Pavia to a full deal in<\/a> advance of the camp starting on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n By signing Pavia early, the Ravens ensured they secured him before other teams could potentially offer him a contract during or after his scheduled minicamp performance. The Ravens also signed former UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano to a similar three-year deal. Both players will participate in the rookie minicamp to compete for a depth chart spot.<\/p>\n View this post on Instagram<\/p>\n Prior to signing with Baltimore, Pavia was placed on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers\u2019 negotiation list in the Canadian Football League (CFL). If he does not make the Ravens\u2019 active roster or practice squad, the CFL remains a professional alternative.<\/p>\n Diego Pavia\u2019s confidence before getting the opportunity<\/p>\n Diego Pavia has been vocal about his journey from being a JUCO walk-on to an undrafted NFL rookie, often emphasizing his \u201cchip-on-the-shoulder\u201d mentality. Before getting the opportunity, Pavia expressed readiness to prove himself, stating, \u201cI want them to know, and the future teammates that I do have, that, game on the line, I got you. Don\u2019t worry about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how I carry myself. I think people get caught up in my confidence for arrogance. But my confidence comes from my preparation of work that I put in in the offseason, the week of, just things like that. That\u2019s what boosts me to have that extra edge on Saturday,\u201d added the QB.<\/p>\n Now, in rookie minicamp, Pavia will get his first taste of NFL coaching and playbook installation alongside fellow rookies and will follow the standard NFL offseason progression. Late July is the critical period where Pavia must outperform fellow UDFA Joe Fagnano to secure the No. 3 QB role.<\/p>\n If Pavia does not make the Ravens\u2019 final 53-man roster or practice squad by September, he has alternative professional options. As a high-profile college star, he would likely be a priority target for a UFL team like the Louisville Kings.<\/p>\n Share this with a friend:<\/p>\n