Confidence has never been Diego Pavia's issue. That has led to moments that are iconic and others that have, shall we say, worked against him. Now, after being signed to a three-year deal, one with the Baltimore Ravens, one of those less-than-flattering moments has resurfaced. First things first. How about a hand for the rookie? He gets his shot to prove that he belongs at the next level. That's all a prospect can ask for. After going undrafted, he got his shot, first as a rookie minicamp invitee, then as a full-fledged member of the Ravens roster, but you know this fan base. They certainly hang onto receipts.
As he steps into a quarterback room led by a two-time MVP, Lamar Jackson, he won't be arriving quietly. One of his old clips just won't go away. Shortly after news of his signing broke, a viral clip from the Heisman Trophy weekend began making the rounds again. When asked to choose between two elite names, Pavia didn't play along.
Like come on man https://t.co/XTRipWHD0Z pic.twitter.com/9GOYyQFU8f
Now let's be fair. This was a long time ago. Lamar Jackson probably didn't take this personally. The locker room may even get a laugh if this finds its way into the conversation. After all, this is what you get with Pavia. He's brash, and that probably won't change now that he's in the NFL. Some saw his comments as misguided. Sure, this didn't land well in every circle, but it's the mindset a pro needs. It's also a mindset that can't be taught or faked.
Quarterbacks are wired a certain way. They have to be. Show us a QB who doesn't think he's the guy, and we'll show you a signal-caller who probably isn't ready for the NFL stage. Pavia would never have led a program or met expectations had he been passive. There's no way players like this thrive under pressure if they don't believe that they belong.
Pavia's college résumé is the evidence. He backed up the talk with production, toughness, and an ability to elevate a program that wasn't accustomed to winning. He won't face that same pressure now, at least not immediately, but on a roster with four quarterbacks and maybe three spots on the 53-man roster, he'll need that swagger and chip on his shoulder if he's ever going to do anything impressive.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Diego Pavia once said he was a better CFB player than Lamar Jackson