Diego Pavia '100 Percent' Believes He'll Be Picked in 2026 NFL Draft, 'Best Player in the Country'

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia expressed confidence this week that he will be selected in the 2026 NFL draft.

Speaking to reporters at the Senior Bowl practices, Pavia said he "100 percent" believes he will be drafted, adding, "When has the last SEC player of the year not been drafted? You know what I mean? I feel like you go watch, the tape number speaks for [itself]. Everything speaks for themselves. I feel like I'm the best player in the country, and I still believe that. That's just the ultimate confidence that I've had."

The 23-year-old Pavia is coming off his best collegiate season, as he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

In addition to leading the Commodores to their first 10-win season in program history, Pavia completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while also rushing for 862 yards and 10 scores.

Diego Pavia Heisman Reel

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Prior to Pavia's arrival as a transfer from New Mexico State in 2024, Vandy had posted 10 consecutive losing seasons. Pavia quickly reversed the team's fortunes, leading the Commodores to a 7-6 record in his first season at the helm, while also accounting for 28 total touchdowns and just four interceptions.

While Pavia's production and on-field results are undeniable, it is fair to wonder if that will translate to success at the NFL level.

The biggest reason for skepticism is Pavia's size, as he measured just 5-foot-8 and 7/8 of an inch at the Senior Bowl, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.

He is also a bit on the older side for an NFL prospect, as he will turn 24 next month after spending six seasons playing collegiately at the New Mexico Military Institute, New Mexico State and Vanderbilt.

Where Pavia can potentially benefit is under the notion that the 2026 NFL draft is a weak class as it relates to the quarterback position.

Mendoza is the favorite to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders after winning the Heisman Trophy, but no other quarterback is guaranteed to go in the first round.

All of them have some shortcomings attached to them, including Alabama's Ty Simpson, Miami's Carson Beck and Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss, among others.

The fact that Pavia doesn't have prototypical size and arm strength will likely keep him out of the first round and possibly even out of Day 2 of the draft, but based on his statistical output, dual-threat ability and intangibles, it is easy to envision a team taking a chance on him on Day 3.