The 2026 NFL Draft is upcoming and college football prospects such as Diego Pavia are preparing for the opportunity to get selected by a franchise. The NFL Scouting Combine was held recently at Indianapolis where the nation’s top college prospects performed drills in front of coaches and analysts.
Pavia had a successful career at college level with the Vanderbilt Commodores, and is now looking to get drafted. However, he is facing backlash after he posted a tweet to get drafted.
Diego Pavia asks to be drafted despite UDFA label
Pavia was a 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist and had a good season for Vanderbilt. He completed 267 of 378 passes for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions, while adding 862 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. With his efforts, the college football program had 10 wins in their season, the first time in their modern history.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws the ball during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026. © ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Despite his impressive resume, NFL evaluators were not kind to him. He participated at the NFL Combine, where he measured 5-foot-10 and 207 pounds, with an arm length of 28⅝ inches. Furthermore, there have been concerns over pocket presence, arm strength on deep throws, and long-term durability given his aggressive running style. In his position, he is an extreme outlier and is being projected to receive an UDFA label, which means he could be an undrafted free agent or a late-round pick at best.
An X account named Scott Barrett released a statistical graphic that grouped his 2025 season with elite quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray. All of them have averaged more than 75 rushing yards and 270 passing yards per game in a Power Conference. Those players were all selected in the first or second rounds of the Draft, while Pavia is expected to be undrafted.
Pavia decided to respond to the tweet, and wrote, “who you telling? sh*t don’t make no sense. but just need a opportunity- tell em @malkikawa”. He tagged his agent Malki Kawa of First Round Management. Soon after, fans began responding to him for his response.
Fans mock Diego Pavia after viral plea
Many fans felt that Pavia was being too desperate with his tweet, and felt he should focus on himself.
One user remarked, “As a Vandy fan, please shut up and stay humble!!! One minute you want to be gangster, the next minute you’re a choir boy. The NFL isn’t fond of bipolar”.
A second user commented, “Maybe if you kept your mouth shut and didn’t act like an ass you wouldn’t be like that!”
A third user wrote, “Based off my analytics and many others, if given the opportunity, you’re going to sore. Good luck man.”
Another added, “Bro you’re barely bigger than the trophy”.
A fifth user replied, “I don’t think teams need any Oompa Loompas”.
A sixth user said, “Pavia , maybe 4 round pick , too small 5’8” , even soccer players are taller , his arrogance no body wants on a team.”
Diego Pavia will look forward and hope to get selected in the upcoming NFL Draft.