The Baltimore Ravens are making waves in the NFL offseason by shaking up their quarterback room, and the latest addition is turning heads across the football world. On April 28, 2026, the Ravens signed Diego Pavia, a Heisman Trophy runner-up and dynamic dual-threat quarterback, to a three-year deal after he surprisingly went undrafted. The move came just days before he was scheduled to try out at Baltimore's rookie minicamp, signaling the team's eagerness to secure his talents amid growing league interest.
Pavia’s path to the NFL has been anything but ordinary. A standout at both New Mexico State and Vanderbilt, the 24-year-old quarterback dazzled fans and scouts alike with his ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground. In his collegiate career, Pavia threw for an eye-popping 10,255 yards and rushed for 3,094 more, accounting for a staggering 119 touchdowns over four seasons. His final two years at Vanderbilt were especially memorable, as he helped the Commodores reach new heights and etched his name in the school’s record books.
The 2025 season was Pavia’s crowning achievement. He led Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record—the first double-digit win season in school history—throwing 29 touchdown passes and rushing for 10 more. He topped the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in completion percentage (70%), passing touchdowns, and yards per attempt (9.4), while accounting for over 70% of the Commodores’ total offensive output. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed: Pavia was named a first-team All-American, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which honors the best upperclassman quarterback in college football.
Despite these accolades, Pavia’s NFL draft journey took an unexpected turn. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting—behind Las Vegas quarterback Fernando Mendoza—yet found himself undrafted, making him the first Heisman finalist to go unselected since Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch in 2014. The reasons for his draft slide were varied. At the NFL Combine, Pavia measured just under 5-foot-10, and concerns about his height and age (he’s 24 as a rookie) loomed large in the minds of some evaluators. There were also questions about his fit in NFL systems and some off-field decision-making, particularly after a controversial Instagram post following his Heisman runner-up finish. In the post, Pavia criticized the Heisman voters with an obscenity, but he later issued a public apology on social media.
Still, Baltimore saw something special in Pavia. The Ravens moved quickly, skipping the usual rookie minicamp tryout and signing him outright to prevent other teams from swooping in. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “Pavia finished second behind Las Vegas quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the Heisman Trophy voting.” The Ravens’ decision reflects both the urgency to secure a high-upside developmental quarterback and the belief that Pavia’s playmaking ability can translate at the next level.
But Pavia isn’t the only new face in the Ravens’ quarterback room. Baltimore also signed Joe Fagnano, an undrafted free agent out of UConn, to a three-year deal earlier on April 28. Fagnano passed for 3,448 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just one interception last season, making him another intriguing developmental prospect. With starter Lamar Jackson and veteran backup Tyler Huntley already on the roster, the Ravens now have four quarterbacks on their 90-man squad heading into offseason activities.
The competition for the No. 3 quarterback spot is officially on. Both Pavia and Fagnano will be on equal footing at the upcoming rookie minicamp, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, May 1, 2026. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, who previously worked with Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea (Pavia’s college coach), will have a unique perspective on Pavia’s strengths and areas for growth. The connection between Minter and Lea may have helped pave the way for Pavia’s signing, as the two coaches collaborated at Vanderbilt in 2021 before Minter left to become Michigan’s defensive coordinator.
Pavia’s arrival in Baltimore is already sparking debate among fans and analysts. On one hand, his college production is nearly unmatched. He finished second among all FBS players with 334.8 total yards per game last season, and his leadership was instrumental in transforming Vanderbilt’s program. On the other hand, the NFL’s history with undersized quarterbacks is mixed, and Pavia’s advanced age for a rookie raises questions about his long-term ceiling. Some around the league are eager to see if his elusive style and knack for extending plays can overcome those perceived limitations.
“Pavia is one of the most accomplished and controversial players in college football,” noted one report from Owings Mills, Md. Indeed, his journey from Heisman finalist to undrafted underdog is a testament to both the unpredictability of the NFL draft and the relentless drive of athletes who refuse to let setbacks define their careers.
For Pavia, the next few months will be crucial. He’ll need to quickly acclimate to the Ravens’ offensive system, prove he can make NFL-level reads and throws, and demonstrate the maturity required to lead a locker room. The presence of established veterans like Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley should provide both mentorship and a clear standard for what’s expected in Baltimore.
As the Ravens prepare for rookie minicamp and the grind of offseason workouts, all eyes will be on how Pavia and Fagnano handle the challenge. There are no guarantees either will secure a long-term roster spot, but the opportunity to develop within a stable organization known for maximizing talent is a promising start. If Pavia can harness the playmaking magic he displayed at Vanderbilt—and continue to grow on and off the field—he just might carve out a place in the NFL after all.
The quarterback competition in Baltimore is officially heating up, and with so much at stake for these young signal-callers, Ravens fans have plenty to watch for as the offseason drama unfolds.