Deion Sanders Sends Diego Pavia Message in Trending Post After QB Not Picked in 2026 NFL Draft

Colorado coach Deion Sanders sent Diego Pavia a message of support after the former Vanderbilt quarterback was not selected in the 2026 NFL draft.

"I BELIEVE IN YOU MY MAN!" Sanders wrote. "Stay strong and don't let up. Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget."

Pavia is the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since 2014.

He finished second in voting for the award to former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was drafted at No. 1 by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Pavia finished his final season at Vanderbilt having completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 3,539 passes with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Concerns about Pavia's ability to replicate that success at the NFL level stemmed in part from his measurements at the February scouting combine.

Pavia measured in at 5'10" and 207 pounds, with an arm span of 28 5/8" and a handspan of 9 5/8".

He was ranked as the No. 252 prospect and No. 10 quarterback available on the final Bleacher Report big board, although B/R NFL scout Damian Parson noted his measurements "will not meet NFL requirements."

Parson added that Pavia "projects as an undersized backup quarterback in the NFL, albeit one with a 'gamer' mentality who will put everything on the line for his team."

Sanders' support comes after he watched his son, Shilo Sanders, go unselected in the 2025 NFL draft.

Shilo signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, although he was cut from the Bucs' roster ahead of the 2025 season and did not receive another contract after trying out with the San Francisco 49ers.

Pavia could now hope to find his own path to the NFL by signing his own UDFA deal with a team looking to add quarterback depth to their 90-man roster this offseason.

Other undrafted quarterbacks including Tennessee's Joey Aguilar and Kansas' Jalon Daniels have already signed with teams following Saturday's conclusion of the draft.