Diego Pavia Reveals Johnny Manziel's Advice for 2026 NFL Draft Prep at Scouting Combine

As Diego Pavia hopes to embark on an NFL career coming off a successful 2025 season at Vanderbilt, the reigning SEC Player of the Year has received advice about prepping for the draft from Johnny Manziel.

Speaking to reporters from the NFL scouting combine on Friday, Pavia opened up about the guidance Manziel has offered him as the pre-draft process gets underway:

"He's given me what to look out for, what it's like, how to stay in the process. And he's giving me some good advice, for sure. He always reaches out, too, checks up on me to make sure I'm good. He's just a friend to me, and so he's given me some mentorship. He's been around me; he's been around my family. He's just a great person for those that really don't know."

Manziel knows from what he speaks having gone through a very high-profile pre-draft process himself back in 2014. He spent two years as the biggest star in college football, becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012.

The Cleveland Browns made a bet on Manziel with the No. 22 pick in the 2014 draft. He quickly flamed out in the NFL, appearing in 14 games over two seasons before being released in March 2016.

Pavia has generated a lot of discussion in recent months as much for his off-field exploits as his on-field accomplishments. He issued an apology for posting a message on social media that said "F-All the voters" in reference to his runner-up finish to Indiana's Fernando Mendoza in the Heisman voting.

The 24-year-old went on to say during his Friday press conference that "I don't care what people think about me."

It's unclear how much NFL interest Pavia is going to generate. He is listed at 5'9" and 198 pounds, but he won't get an official measurement at the combine until Saturday.

For comparison, Bryce Young measured in at just over over 5'10" and 204 pounds leading up to the 2023 draft. He ranked in the first percentile in height and sixth percentile in weight among all quarterbacks.

B/R's NFL scouting department currently has Pavia ranked as the No. 10 quarterback and 192nd overall prospect in the 2026 draft class. He is coming off a stellar season at Vandy with 3,539 passing yards, 862 rushing yards and accounted for 39 touchdowns in 13 games.