Diego Pavia makes pitch to NFL teams: ‘Just give me a chance’

Diego Pavia has never lacked confidence. As he prepares for the next step in his football career, the Vanderbilt quarterback is making his message to NFL teams unmistakably clear.

Appearing on The Pivot Podcast prior to Heisman weekend, Pavia delivered a direct, heartfelt pitch to decision-makers at the professional level. He emphasized competitiveness over pedigree.

“I can win wherever I go. I just need a chance. Need an opportunity,” Pavia stated. “To the NFL as well, just give me a chance. I just want an opportunity. I can show you that I’m going to play. That’s just who I feel I am deep inside. I’m a true competitor, and at all costs, I’m going to beat you out. 

“It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, where you came from. I’m going to win. That’s just how I grew up being. I think it’s a testament to wrestling. Wrestling is a true one-on-one sport. If you lose, he’s better than you. Hell yeah.”

That mentality helped fuel one of the most remarkable seasons in Vanderbilt history. Pavia finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up after leading the Commodores to a 10-2 regular-season record and placing among the top four vote-getters nationally. 

As a true dual-threat, he threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns. He added 826 rushing yards and nine more scores on the ground.

The breakout campaign capped a monster second season in Nashville for Pavia, who received an additional year of eligibility following a court ruling last year. His emergence accelerated Vanderbilt’s turnaround under head coach Clark Lea and pushed the Commodores into the College Football Playoff conversation well into the season. A rare feat for the program.

More on Diego Pavia, potential NFL future

With his collegiate eligibility now exhausted, Pavia is set to turn pro following the postseason. However, he still has unfinished business in black and gold. Vanderbilt is scheduled to face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve, and Pavia made it clear he intends to be on the field if given the choice.

“God willing, I will be playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl,” Pavia said Saturday on SportsCenter. “If it’s up to me, I’ll be playing.”

Beyond the competitive opportunity, Pavia views the bowl game as a final audition in front of NFL evaluators. A chance to finish what he started with his teammates.

“It gives scouts another chance for me to look at our performance against a very good Iowa defense,” Pavia said. “They’re very tough. They’re going to be really good, and they’re going to bring their A-game. So, I’m going to be super excited about that.

“And the second, it’ll be my last game with the guys. I have a lot of feelings and emotions about that. Those guys, they mean the world to me. I wouldn’t let them go to battle without me.”

For Pavia, the message remains simple. Give him a shot, and let the rest take care of itself. We’ll see if any NFL team bites come April.