Albuquerque native Diego Pavia waived by Ravens

Nairavoice | Jul 24, 2026 2h ago 151 0 4 min read

Albuquerque native Diego Pavia waived by Ravens

Diego Pavia needs a new team.

The Albuquerque native and Heisman Trophy runner-up was waived Thursday by the Baltimore Ravens, the team announced via a report on its website.

A record-setting quarterback at Vanderbilt and New Mexico State, Pavia was signed as an undrafted free agent in late April to compete for Baltimore’s third-string quarterback position behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. He was later passed over the summer by Skylar Thompson and Joe Fangano, another undrafted free agent from Connecticut.

Pavia can now either sign with another NFL team to compete for a roster spot or possibly take his talents to another league: For instance, the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers added him to their negotiation list in 2024, meaning the club will have exclusive rights to negotiate with him if he wishes to pursue an opportunity in the league.

The majority of NFL training camps begin next week.

In two seasons at Vanderbilt, Pavia accounted for 9,156 yards of total offense and 67 touchdowns, helping the Commodores compile a historic 17-9 record. He earned All-SEC honors last year, including being named the league’s offensive player of the year, and finished second in Heisman voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the best placement of any New Mexico native in the award’s history.

Despite those accomplishments, Pavia was not considered a surefire draft prospect — at 5-foot-10, his height is well below NFL standard at the position and the lowest of any quarterback in this draft class.

Pavia also played in a run-pass-option-oriented offense at Vanderbilt, vastly different from what the majority of NFL clubs run.

“Pavia has a skill set that is both unique and limited,” wrote Dane Brugler, a draft and prospect analyst for The Athletic. “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.”

Before joining Vanderbilt, Pavia spent two years at New Mexico State, leading the Aggies to back-to-back bowl appearances and a 10-5 season in 2023. He started his career at New Mexico Military Institute, where he won a junior college national title in 2021.

Pavia graduated from Volcano Vista High School, where he was a star wrestler and football player. He attended St. Pius X before that.

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.