OWINGS MILLS, MD — Diego Pavia has officially taken his first professional steps toward becoming an NFL quarterback, and the buzz around his rookie minicamp debut with the Baltimore Ravens is already building.

The polarizing Vanderbilt star and 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist hit the field on May 2 under cloudy skies, donning a black jersey with No. 17 as he worked out alongside fellow Ravens rookies. At 5-foot-10 and 203 pounds, the undrafted free agent recently signed a three-year deal with the team, and his first practice was all about getting acclimated—both to the playbook and his new teammates.

During the portion of practice open to media, Pavia wore a helmet but no pads, splitting reps with fellow UDFA Joe Fagnano. The session featured a mix of run, pass, and play-action plays, though Pavia didn't air it out downfield as his receivers focused on learning their routes. He did uncork a few passes during individual drills, showing glimpses of the arm that made him a college standout.

Rookie head coach Jesse Minter ran the practice, while general manager Eric DeCosta and former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome watched from various vantage points around the team's suburban training facility. For a player who entered the NFL with a chip on his shoulder after going undrafted, this was a chance to prove he belongs—and the first impression is already turning heads.