Diego Pavia

● Built like a wrestler, with thick torso and solid mass throughout ● Proudly holds the ball until final nanosecond on RPOs and scramble-drill throws ● Plays with point-guard vision on the move and quickly adapts to defense’s speed ● Accurate in short-to-intermediate passing game ● Quick-footed athlete, with initial acceleration to frustrate pursuit in space ● Throws well on the move — Vanderbilt schemed ways for him to move the pocket ● Has some explosiveness in lower body (can dunk a basketball) ● Responsible for combined 119 total touchdowns past four seasons ● Four-year team captain (two years at New Mexico State, two at Vanderbilt) and connects with everyone in locker room ● Passionate about ball and unapologetically authentic ● Finished with 31-18 record as an FBS starter, including leading Vanderbilt to first double-digit-win season in school history

● Height and length fall considerably below what NFL teams desire at QB ● Good initial acceleration but long speed taps out quickly, allowing pursuit to nab him 27 Back to table of contents -- 31 of 629 -- ● Legs are part of his appeal, but went to the Jaxson Dart School of “I’m too tough to slide” — durability is a concern ● Mediocre arm power — his deep passes lose life ● Marginal intermediate-to-deep accuracy, lacking anticipation ● Pocket vision can be obstructed by crowding — much more comfortable on the move ● “Life of the party” persona won’t be a fit for every staff or organization ● Has attracted attention for the wrong reasons: After finishing as Heisman runner-up, posted “F ALL THE VOTERS” on social media; caught on video urinating on rival New Mexico’s practice field (September 2023)

A two-year starter at Vanderbilt (and four-year starter overall), Pavia was an ideal fit in offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s RPO-based scheme with a diverse short passing game. After a winding road led him to SEC country, he took the Vanderbilt program to new heights, becoming the first Heisman Trophy finalist in school history (finished runner-up behind Fernando Mendoza). Pavia set school records for single-season passing yards (3,539), passing touchdowns (29) and total offense (4,401). Pavia has a skill set that is both unique and limited. He is accurate in the short-to-intermediate passing game (slants, digs, screens, outs), and his bulldog competitiveness is exceptional in all phases — especially as a runner. Moving the pocket and the quarterback run-game were staples of Vanderbilt’s scheme, and Pavia’s execution made it challenging to defend. But most NFL offenses are far more expansive, so his “backyard football” style will catch up with him against NFL speed. Overall, Pavia is a gamer, with the confidence and mobility that have elevated every offense he has been on, but his lack of size and arm strength is tough to overcome. He has NFL backup potential for an RPO-based offense — and for a play caller willing to limit the menu.