NFL: Combine
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (QB14) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is moving closer to a professional comeback in the United Football League, three months after the Baltimore Ravens waived the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up before the start of NFL training camp.
Pavia posted on X Tuesday night that his agent, First Round Management chief executive Malki Kawa, is in contract negotiations with the league. “Whatever team I end up at, I can promise you one thing: You will get everything I got,” Pavia wrote.
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Mike Repole’s UFL pitch to Pavia
appreciate everyone reaching out with everything on my career. my agent @malkikawa and the UFL are currently in negotiations to make this happen! whatever team I end up at, I can promise you one thing- You will get everything I got 💯
— Diego Pavia (@diegopavia02) October 21, 2026
Pavia previewed the move last weekend during a trip to Boulder for Utah’s game at Colorado. “My journey’s not done. I plan on doing some UFL,” he said on Darius Sanders’ YouTube channel. He added that he wants to bring some of his former Vanderbilt teammates with him.
The league made its interest public long before Pavia did. UFL co-owner Mike Repole recruited the quarterback on social media earlier this year, writing, “I’d sign him tomorrow and start him this weekend.” NFL reporter Evan Sidery also reported the UFL wanted Pavia to become the “face” of the league.
The UFL holds its 2027 draft Nov. 18 in St. Louis.
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Why did the Ravens release Pavia?
NFL: Combine
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (QB14) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
All 32 NFL teams passed on Pavia in April, making him the first Heisman finalist since Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch in 2014 to go undrafted. Baltimore signed him to a three-year deal days later, and the Albuquerque native competed with Skylar Thompson and Joe Fagnano for the No. 3 job behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.
The Ravens waived Pavia on July 23 to clear a roster spot for veteran center Ethan Pocic. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter knew the quarterback through Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea, who hired Minter as his defensive coordinator in 2021, but that connection didn’t carry Pavia into training camp.
Size and maturity questions followed the 24-year-old through the draft process. He measured just under 5-foot-10 at the NFL Scouting Combine. And after finishing second to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the Heisman voting, he posted “F- ALL THE VOTERS” on Instagram.
Still, Pavia’s final college season ranks among the best in Vanderbilt history. He threw for 3,539 yards with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions while running for 862 yards and 10 scores, leading the Commodores to a 10-3 record and the first double-digit win season in program history. He also earned a 92.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, fourth among 302 qualifying quarterbacks.
Blue Bombers hold Pavia’s Canadian rights
The UFL isn’t the only league with a claim to the New Mexico State transfer. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have held his Canadian Football League rights since adding him to their negotiation list on June 1, 2024, and the team said in April it had held preliminary conversations with his representatives.
Pavia’s post points him toward spring football in the United States instead. He hasn’t played in a game since Vanderbilt’s 34-27 loss to Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.
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Matt De Lima
Matt De Lima brings 15+ years of elite sports media experience to the table. From covering the gridiron to the hardwood, this Virginia Tech graduate has established himself as a versatile editor and writer for heavy hitters like Sports Illustrated and DraftKings. A twice-nominated FSWA finalist, Matt combines a digital-first philosophy with an eagle eye for breaking news, consistently delivering the engaging coverage today’s audience demands across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and beyond.
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