What's in Diego Pavia's future? It may not be football.
The polarizing former Vanderbilt quarterback wasn't selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming the first Heisman Trophy finalist not to be selected since Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2014. But what's more surprising is he wasn't picked up as an undrafted free agent, instead only reportedly accepting an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
While you can't entirely rule out a professional football career for Pavia, the odds are stacked against him. It could cause a career pivot if it doesn't work out. Luckily, there is a place where he could thrive, and there's proof it could work: wrestling.
103. New York Jets: DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
104. Arizona Cardinals: DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
105. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
107. San Francisco 49ers: DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
116. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Keionte Scott, Miami (FL)
117. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Travis Burke, Memphis
119. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Wesley Williams, Duke
1 / 19All the picks from Rounds 4 to 7 on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft101. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
103. New York Jets: DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
104. Arizona Cardinals: DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
105. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
107. San Francisco 49ers: DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
116. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Keionte Scott, Miami (FL)
117. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Travis Burke, Memphis
119. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Wesley Williams, Duke
It's no secret Pavia was one of college football's biggest heels last season, cutting off promos Vanderbilt's athletic director had to apologize for. Generating that type of heat is exactly what's needed to get crowds to react, one of the most important aspects of the business. If you can get the fans to boo you, then you're making magic happen, and Pavia has done plenty of it. Mix in his wrestling background, which includes a New Mexico state title in high school, and he has a great starting point for becoming a wrestler.
He's already had some interactions with WWE stars, including with Grayson Waller in December.