Pat McAfee Reacts to Diego Pavia Accepting NFL Minicamp Invite With Ravens

Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback and 2025–26 Heisman Trophy finalist Diego Pavia was the biggest name not selected during the seven-round NFL draft from Thursday through Saturday.

While he can still carve out a path as an undrafted free agent - as many players have before him - ESPN's Pat McAfee believes Pavia's play style and polarizing profile could make him a strong fit for the United Football League (UFL).

However, Pavia is first focused on making his NFL dream a reality. On Sunday, he officially accepted a minicamp invitation with the Baltimore Ravens next week. While it doesn't guarantee a roster spot, it represents a key opportunity to earn a contract heading into the summer or potentially open doors elsewhere in the league.

During Monday's episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” McAfee reacted to the news shortly after previously laying out why he believed Pavia would be a strong fit for the UFL.

"I just thought to myself after the draft weekend came and went that there's one particular player that's having a tryout with the Ravens this upcoming weekend. If he was to go the UFL … is Diego Pavia not the UFL blueprint that you would think for spring football?" McAfee said.

"Big name, not scared to promote things at all… and if you look at some of the quarterbacks in the UFL, I don't know any of them … This feels kind of like a home run situation, and also Diego, we aren't saying you won't have a good NFL career … you're a dog. If you hit it off with Baltimore, we'd obviously be very happy for you."

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Pavia is the first player since 2014 to be a Heisman Trophy finalist and go undrafted, though there are several possible reasons teams ultimately passed on him.

His measurable’s also place him among the smaller quarterbacks in the NFL, drawing comparisons to Bryce Young and Kyler Murray - a legitimate concern for some organizations.

Beyond that, there's also the possibility that teams were hesitant about the added attention and media spotlight that could come with selecting a high-profile, polarizing player on Day 3, especially one expected to begin his career as a backup.

Ten quarterbacks were selected in the draft, and statistically, Pavia was arguably more productive at the collegiate level last season than many of them.

From McAfee's perspective, however, Pavia's style - a playmaker who can extend plays, escape the pocket, push the ball downfield, and plays with noticeable personality - may actually translate more naturally to the United Football League (UFL), regardless of whether that's a path he ultimately chooses to explore.

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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 10:45 AM.