Diego Pavia reportedly lost out on an eight-figure NFL earnings potential despite offering a contrite apology after failing to learn from Shedeur Sanders’ Draft slide. If Shedeur’s high confidence is any guide, Pavia could be headed for a rocky April in the NFL Draft.
Jamie Gordon, US Sports Writer
Published: 13:08, 15 Dec 2025 | Updated: 13:08, 15 Dec 2025
Some believed Shedeur Sanders’ self-assured approach troubled NFL teams during interviews as he entered the draft phase. Sanders had publicly proclaimed that he aimed to transform the fortunes of whichever franchise drafted him, yet he slipped to the fifth round and even fell to fourth on the Cleveland Browns’ depth chart after the festivities.
As the 23-year-old battles to prove his NFL prospects, Diego Pavia is fighting to salvage his reputation.
Pavia’s journey includes stints at the New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State before transferring to Vanderbilt in 2024, where he vaulted into Heisman Trophy contention. He ultimately finished as a Heisman finalist behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns in his final year of eligibility, which earned him a real shot at the pros. Yet, at 24 years old and with a prototypical build of 6 feet and 207 pounds, he needed everything else to align—especially the right mindset.
Shedeur, who signed a $4.6 million rookie deal, learned a brutal lesson when confidence bordered on arrogance, proving that the path to the draft is not just about talent but how a player carries themselves. Pavia, observers argue, should have paid closer attention.
This past weekend, the Heisman finalist became the focal point for a debate about how to handle the spotlight. Arriving at the ceremony with his brothers, some viewers felt his red-carpet presence echoed a gangster-film vibe. When asked to name the best quarterback of all time between Lamar Jackson and Johnny Manziel by the Daily Mail, he declined to pick and instead named himself.
That moment wasn’t catastrophic on its own, as confident quarterbacks are common, but his subsequent social media posts crossed a line. Posting infamously, “F all the voters,” after finishing second drew criticism, and a separate clip showing Pavia partying in New York in front of a board that read ‘F--- Indiana’ left a sour impression with many viewers.
Commentators on X weighed in, with one noting that Shedeur appeared confident rather than arrogant, while Pavia’s conduct suggested arrogance and provided ample reasons for NFL teams to hesitate about drafting him. Others drew comparisons between Pavia and Sanders, arguing that Pavia embodied the media’s caricature of what Shedeur supposedly represents.
An ironic footnote is that Pavia once described a potential role as a backup to Deion Sanders’ program. “Coach Prime offered me at Jackson State,” he told The Pivot Podcast. “But he was so real. He said, ‘Look. We’re looking for a backup. You won’t play over my son, even if he gets hurt.’ So I took the offer to New Mexico State.” On the same podcast, Pavia pleaded for a real opportunity at the professional level, insisting that he can win anywhere with a chance and that he’s a true competitor who will do whatever it takes to beat the opposition.
Facing the consequences, Pavia issued a groveling apology on social media as he seeks to salvage his NFL dream. “To be so close to my dream and come up short was painful,” he wrote. “I didn’t handle those emotions well and didn’t represent myself the way I wanted. I have much love and respect for the Heisman voters and the selection process, and I apologize for being disrespectful. It was a mistake, and I am sorry. Fernando Mendoza is an elite competitor and a deserving winner.”
Backup quarterbacks can earn substantial salaries in the NFL, but the margin for error is thin and opportunities can vanish quickly. Whether this moment is too late to change Pavia’s trajectory remains to be seen. Vanderbilt’s season concludes with a ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Iowa on New Year’s Eve.
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