Diego Pavia issues defiant response as NFL Draft verdict revealed at Senior Bowl

Diego Pavia will make history the second he takes to the field in the NFL — but he faces an uphill struggle to get there.

The Vanderbilt quarterback is competing at the Senior Bowl as he tries to use every last opportunity to prove he has what it takes.

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Listed at 6ft exactly on the official roster, his measurements came in at just under 5ft 10in in Mobile.

The shortest QB’s to take the field in the Super Bowl era are Kyler Murray and Bryce Young, who both registered at 5ft 10in and 1/8.

“God blessed me with 5’9 and 7/8”,” Pavia said in an interview with SiriusXM Radio’s Jim Miller. “I don’t wanna let anyone hold me or my team back.”

Despite finishing second behind Fernando Mendoza in the Heisman voting, Pavia was already considered a late-round draft pick at best, with his size and age potential concerns.

That was before a disastrous performance at the ceremony in New York, where he disrespected the voters, Mendoza and Indiana before issuing a grovelling apology.

The 23-year-old showed what you would expect in Mobile. Highlight-reel throws and plenty of heart, including one memorable moment where he stripped the ball from a defensive linemen after his running back fumbled.

Unfortunately, the verdict on the ground is that there are too many hurdles to overcome.

“I don’t think that Diego Pavia can play quarterback in the NFL,” draft expert Todd McShay insisted. “You watch him during team sessions, and you watch him during some of the 7-on-7 stuff, and there’s some fun things to watch… but, when you watch him have to drive the ball, NFL throws, it’s not the same as the other guys.

“I’m saying when you watch him out there, you start to wonder are the limitations going to be too much at the next level.”

“To me, Diego Pavia was the best overall quarterback at the Senior Bowl this week,” wrote Chad Jensen, who is attending the Senior Bowl with Sports Illustrated. “Has some serious limitations due to his size, but he can run the offense, finds a way to make plays, and has a solid arm. He’s also got some attitude to him. Might not make it to the NFL but he has heart.”

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“Diego Pavia’s draft stock continues to nosedive after measuring in at 5-9 7/8 at the Senior Bowl. Combined with questionable off-field behavior and just average passing ability, it’s becoming increasingly likely he goes undrafted,” added NFL Mocks writer John Blair.

Pavia isn’t about to give up without a fight.

“I want to show every team that whoever I’m blessed enough to go to, you’re going to get someone who is a winner,” he said. “I’ve been blessed enough to never have a losing season of football ever in my life, and I don’t plan on that ever happening.

“That’s what you’re going to get out of me. You’re going to get someone who’s great in the locker room, great with the teammates and who’s going to push the team and make sure that we are winning. I think that’s what the ultimate competitor does.”

Fernando Mendoza leads light NFL Draft class for QBs

Mendoza is almost certainly headed to the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick after Dante Moore — considered the class’ second-best prospect — decided to return to college with LSU.

Alabama’s Ty Simpson may sneak into the first round and Garrett Nussmeier has enjoyed a strong Senior Bowl to perhaps rise into day two contention.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid didn’t rank Pavia among his top 12 QBs heading into April’s draft.

There is the undrafted route, of course, and some teams may be willing to take a shot on the underdog.

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