When Diego Pavia walked off the Vanderbilt campus last season, he left behind a legacy of 3,500 passing yards and 39 total touchdowns. Now, he's walking into a new chapter with the Baltimore Ravens, and he's bringing a fresh look along with it.
The undrafted free agent quarterback, who turned heads during his college career with his gritty play and competitive edge, has officially been assigned jersey No. 17 for training camp. It's a notable change for fans who grew used to seeing him in No. 2 at Vanderbilt. But in the NFL, sometimes a new number means a new identity.
Pavia signed a three-year UDFA contract with the Ravens after going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft. While some questioned his off-field antics and less-than-prototypical stature, his production on the field was impossible to ignore. Baltimore's coaching staff now faces a tough decision: does the former Commodores star have what it takes to stick as the third-string quarterback?
At 5-foot-11, Pavia doesn't fit the traditional NFL quarterback mold. But neither did legends like Russell Wilson or Drew Brees. His competitive nature has already earned him respect in the locker room, and his edgy attitude—while not for everyone—gives the Ravens a different energy under center.
The No. 17 jersey carries some history in Baltimore. It was last worn by Tyler Huntley, who stepped in admirably during Lamar Jackson's absences. Across NFL history, the number has been made famous by Philip Rivers (16 seasons) and Don Meredith (Dallas Cowboys legend of the 1960s). It's a good reset for Pavia, who is starting from the bottom for the first time in his career.
Training camp opens July 15, and Pavia will be there ready to prove he belongs. The Ravens have a clear depth chart with Lamar Jackson at the top, but behind him? That's where things get interesting. If Pavia can translate his Vanderbilt magic to the NFL stage, Baltimore might have found another diamond in the rough.
For now, the number on his back is just a number. But as any football fan knows, it's the player who makes the number famous—not the other way around.