Diego Pavia

NFL Draft Profile: Diego Pavia

Position: Quarterback | School: Vanderbilt (via New Mexico State) | Class: Graduate

Height: 5'10" | Weight: 207 lbs | Archetype: Dual-Threat / Improviser

College Career Summary

Diego Pavia is the ultimate "giant killer" of the 2024–2025 college football cycle. After leading New Mexico State to a historic upset over Auburn in 2023, he followed coach Jerry Kill and offensive coordinator Tim Beck to Vanderbilt. What followed was one of the most improbable seasons in SEC history.

Pavia became a Nashville legend in 2025, leading the Commodores to a 10-2 regular season—their first double-digit win season since 1915. He didn't just win; he dismantled giants, most notably leading the upset over #1 Alabama. Pavia finished the year as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner, and a Heisman finalist. His "Johnny Manziel-lite" playstyle—defined by reckless toughness and impossible escapes—made Vanderbilt the most dangerous team in the country.

2025 Season Statistical Highlights

• Passing Yards: 3,192

• Completion %: 71.2% (School Record)

• Touchdowns: 27 Passing, 9 Rushing (36 Total)

• Interceptions: 8

• Rushing Yards: 826

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Cmp/Att, Yds, TD/INT)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Charleston So	18/25, 275 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	A	Total command. Added 44 rushing yards and played mistake-free.
2	@ Virginia Tech	15/21, 193 Yds, 2 TD/0 INT	A-	The Road Warrior. Gritty win; 61 rush yards to keep drives alive.
3	@ South Carolina	14/23, 177 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	B+	Efficient in a defensive slugfest. Managed the hostile road crowd.
4	vs Georgia State	19/25, 245 Yds, 3 TD/0 INT	A	Clinical distribution. Looked like a pure pocket passer this week.
5	vs Utah State	21/30, 321 Yds, 3 TD/0 INT	A	First 300-yard game of the year. Elite deep-ball placement.
6	@ #11 Alabama	16/20, 252 Yds, 2 TD/0 INT	A+	The Legend. 80% completion against Bama. The definitive 2025 upset.
7	vs LSU	16/26, 160 Yds, 1 TD/1 INT	B	Relied on legs (86 rush yds) as the passing windows tightened.
8	vs #25 Missouri	10/19, 129 Yds, 0 TD/1 INT	C+	Season Low. Struggled with rhythm; won via defense and rushing.
9	@ #14 Texas	27/38, 365 Yds, 3 TD/0 INT	A-	Nearly pulled the upset in Austin. Showed elite off-platform talent.
10	vs Auburn	25/33, 377 Yds, 3 TD/0 INT	A	Owned the Tigers again. Mastered the middle of the field.
11	vs Kentucky	33/39, 484 Yds, 5 TD/1 INT	A+	Record-Breaker. Shattered Vandy's single-game passing record.
12	@ Tennessee	18/28, 268 Yds, 1 TD/2 INT	B-	Gritty rivalry win. Rushed for 165 yards to overcome two picks.

NFL Scouting Report

Strengths

• The "It" Factor: Pavia is a culture-changer. His leadership and "underdog" mentality are infectious, and his teammates play above their talent level around him.

• Elite Improvisation: He is a nightmare to sack. His vision while scrambling is high-level, and he possesses the "natural" instinct to find throwing lanes as plays break down.

• Accuracy & Touch: Despite the "scrambler" tag, a 71.2% completion rate in the SEC is elite. He has a great feel for layered throws and back-shoulder fades.

• Physical Toughness: He plays like a 230-lb linebacker. He welcomes contact and often wins on 3rd-and-short by lowering his shoulder.

Weaknesses

• Size Limitations: At 5'10", Pavia will face significant visibility issues over NFL offensive lines. He will have to rely almost entirely on "moving the pocket" to see the field.

• Arm Strength: He lacks "pro-velocity." He can hit the deep ball with touch, but he struggles to "zip" the ball into tight windows on the sideline.

• Age/Developmental Ceiling: At 24 (25 by draft day), scouts wonder if he has already hit his ceiling. Teams prefer "younger" projects with more physical growth potential.

• Decision-Making Risks: His "Maniac" playstyle leads to turnover-worthy plays when he tries to extend a dead play rather than throwing it away.

Scheme Fit

• Primary Fit: Mobile-Heavy / RPO / Gadget. He would be an ideal developmental project for a team like the Arizona Cardinals or New Orleans Saints—offenses that could utilize him in Taysom Hill-style packages while he learns the NFL game.

Scout's Final Word

"Diego Pavia is the most fun player in this draft, but he’s also the hardest to project. He’s 5'10" and 24 years old, which usually means 'Undrafted Free Agent.' However, you can't ignore a guy who dismantled Alabama and Kentucky while completing 70% of his passes. He’s a winner. If a coach views him as a Specialty Weapon/Backup (Round 4-6) rather than a franchise savior, he will be a steal."