Deion Sanders Sends Message to Diego Pavia After Going Undrafted

The seven-round NFL Draft has concluded, and while it was always a possibility entering the three-day event, Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia went undrafted.

Pavia is the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go unselected in over a decade, with the last instance coming in 2014. As of Sunday, he remains unsigned while weighing his options for the best possible landing spot.

Shortly after the draft ended, Pavia received a message from Deion Sanders, the Colorado Buffaloes head coach and an active supporter of his.

"I BELIEVE IN YOU MY MAN! Stay strong and don't let up,” Sanders posted. “Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget. Much love & God bless you.”

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Pavia was one of the top quarterbacks in college football last season, throwing for over 3,500 yards and accounting for 39 total touchdowns. However, his measurable’s make him one of the smaller players at the position at the NFL level.

He's listed just under 5-foot-10, putting him in a similar range to Bryce Young and Kyler Murray, both of whom were No. 1 overall picks in their respective drafts.

Another concern is his overall profile. While Pavia is a strong athlete, he's also viewed as a polarizing prospect. Given that he would likely begin his career as a backup, some teams may have opted to go in a different direction rather than bring that kind of attention to a second- or third-string quarterback.

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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 2:01 PM.