Diego Pavia, the quarterback for Vanderbilt, posted a photo with former NFL coach Jon Gruden on March 1, 2026. The picture shows them on a field in South Florida. Pavia is holding a football, and Gruden has on a Chevrolet hat.
Pavia’s caption said, “Appreciate you coach!! Had a blast learning ball today.” The post came after Gruden praised Pavia on his “Gruden’s QB Class” show.
Pavia had a strong 2025 season at Vanderbilt. He threw for 2,503 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, with a 62% completion rate. He also rushed for 701 yards and 5 touchdowns. This helped Vanderbilt go 6-6 and make a bowl game.
Diego Pavia Backs Fernando Mendoza as "Deserving" Heisman Winner After Controversial Comments
Diego Pavia Backs Fernando Mendoza as “Deserving” Heisman Winner After Controversial Comments (Image Via Instagram/@theseniorbowl)
Before Vanderbilt, Pavia played at New Mexico State in 2023 and 2024. There, he passed for 4,276 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions, leading the team to two bowl games.
Coach Jon Gruden, who won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, now runs QB camps and shows.In a recent post about Pavia, Grudensaid, “This kid is a true grinder and will shock a lot of people!”
Gruden has praised the 2026 QB class as deep, with players like Pavia standing out for toughness and playmaking. Pavia’s response shows how Gruden’s words motivate him for the draft.
Gruden’s Praise Puts Focus on Pavia’s Draft Stock
Gruden has a good eye for QBs. He has worked with players like Derek Carr and Kyler Murray in his camps.His praise often helps prospects get noticed by scouts. For Pavia, this means more looks in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is seen as a mid-to-late round pick because of his height (5’10”) but strong skills as a passer and runner.
Pavia’s journey began at junior college before he made his mark at NMSU, pulling off upsets over SEC powerhouses like Auburn and Kentucky. At Vanderbilt, he proved he could shine under pressure, leading wins against Alabama and Virginia Tech. Gruden praised Pavia’s quick release and knack for improvising outside the playbook, traits that fit perfectly in today’s NFL, where mobile quarterbacks thrive.
According to NFL Analyst Chris Simms, Pavia could be a potential “third backup or a 3rd stringer,” but with how cold the league is, Diego has a high chance to be picked up by teams like the Broncos or Jets that need backup quarterbacks with a lot of potential.
Pavia models his game after Drew Brees, focusing on accuracy over size. With Gruden’s support, Pavia’s case as a strong quarterback is much strengthened.