Some are names many expected to see drafted, some were significantly behind Pavia, according to several draft analysts. Georgia Tech's Haynes King, Louisville's Miller Moss, Illinois's Luke Altmyer, Virginia Tech's Kyron Drones and others. None of those names were expected to be drafted or acquired ahead of Pavia when the draft process began.

The issue facing Pavia currently is not that he went undrafted. The primary concern is why isn't he being contacted now? Draft picks are currency.

Drafting a player within the seven rounds suggests a monetary investment in a prospect. In any other scenario, teams would be jumping at the chance to sign a QB with a 70 percent completion percentage, 4,300 yards from scrimmage and 39 combined touchdowns for only a couple of hundred thousand dollars. His own decisions led to fumbling the bagPlaying the villain was a poor choice.

Somewhere along the way, Pavia decided to embrace the villain role. Perhaps it was suggested to inflate his profile, perhaps it was his own doing when the football world did not see him the way he does. There is an arrogant bravado that he's pushed since 2024.

Once it became clear that NFL front offices did not see him as a first-round caliber player, he began making mistakes other players had made. Pavia is part of a big three that should come to mind when you see, "speaking greatness into existence". This is a growing issue.

Pavia, Shedeur Sanders and Angel Reese have all suffered from this wild new tactic. Proclaiming what they believe they were as if saying it will make it so. Shedeur Sanders experienced the largest draft slide in recent memory in part because of how he spoke of himself.

The "Legendary" thing still bothers some people. Angel Reese is still making outlandish comments about how great she is long before such claims will be well received. All three have significant fan bases that began in college or even before that.

Shedeur and Angel's fan bases are larger and more outspoken. However, in each case, fan bases talking up their favorite player does not allow professional teams to do anything. Taking a draft stock or greatness into existence is a failed strategy.

The Heisman Trophy weekend fiascoThe Heisman issue began before the trophy presentation ceremony. Like the above section, Pavia attempted to force his way into a Heisman conversation. The reason we often remember college football players fondly for making the Heisman pose in a game, is usually because they were already in that conversation before they did it.

Pavia was not, so striking the pose felt forced. As if he felt he had to in order to remain relevant. Fast-forward to the trophy presentation.

When Pavia did not win the award, and wasn't going to, as he was going up against Fernando Mendoza. Pavia did exactly what he shouldn't have. Went on a profane rant criticizing and blaming the Heisman voters.

Never a good look. Top 50 prospects can get away with not working outA quarterback draft prospect not throwing at the Combine or declining all-star game invites is not unheard of. We see it every single year.

Those that don't participate usually choose that route because they are projected within a certain range and would rather throw to players they are familiar with. Pavia got a Combine invite and did participate. It just wasn't good.

Pavia did not perform well at the Combine despite social media narratives. At the Senior Bowl, he had a good practice but an awful game. Declined the East/West Shrine game.

When he threw, it was underwhelming at best. Accuracy was off and in the Senior Bowl he almost had to leave the pocket to see over the offensive lineman. We should have heard about him trying to work out for as many teams and scouts as humanly possible given his performance.

Pavia resisted hiring an agentPlayers being reluctant to pay an agent for something they think they can handle is not a new idea, but it's always a bad idea. Players focus on how much of their contract they don't get to keep. It's almost never about that.

Agents provide a service no player can. When speaking with Jon Gruden on QB Class, Pavia confirmed he has no intention of signing with an agent. Earlier today, Outkick's Trey Wallace pushed back on the idea that Pavia doesn't have an agent.

This is just lazy. Sure, pile on Diego Pavia if you feel the need.But, get your facts right. He did not have an agent in college to handle NILHe DOES have, and has had, an NFL agent (Malki Kawa). https://t.co/Y7NZGxI3LE— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) April 26, 2026Sports agents have real rela