There aren’t many 5-foot-10 quarterbacks who sign NFL contracts, let alone ones who just threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns in the SEC. Diego Pavia, the undrafted free agent who inked a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens after leading Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season, is that rare exception.

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Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Weight: 210 lb (95 kg) ·
College (2024): Vanderbilt ·
NFL Team: Baltimore Ravens ·
Position: Quarterback ·
Born: February 16, 2002

Quick Snapshot

1Confirmed Facts
2What’s Unclear
  • Exact contract figures (salary, signing bonus) are not public
  • Whether he will make the Ravens’ final 53-man roster
  • His measured height at the NFL Combine (he was not invited)
  • Detailed family background beyond Mexican-American descent
  • Full early timeline (JUCO, high school) not independently sourced
  • His exact birth date and place lack a direct primary source
3Timeline Signal
4What’s Next
  • Competing for a backup QB spot in Ravens training camp (July 2025)
  • Likely to see preseason action
  • Roster decision expected by late August 2025

Nine key facts — one pattern: Diego Pavia’s production far exceeds his draft stock.

Attribute Value
Full Name Diego Pavia
Date of Birth February 16, 2002
Place of Birth Albuquerque, New Mexico
Height (official Ravens listing) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight (college listing) 210 lb (95 kg)
College (2024) Vanderbilt University
NFL Team Baltimore Ravens
Position Quarterback
Status Undrafted free agent (April 2025)

Will Diego Pavia make it to the NFL?

Diego Pavia’s signing with the Baltimore Ravens

Pavia already made it. In April 2025, the Baltimore Ravens signed him to a three-year undrafted free-agent deal (Sports Illustrated) — a contract the team extended before his scheduled rookie minicamp tryout. The move bypassed the usual tryout path and placed him directly on the 90-man offseason roster.

Preseason outlook and roster chances

  • Currently behind starter Lamar Jackson and veteran backup Josh Johnson on the depth chart.
  • His dual-threat ability parallels Jackson’s style, which could earn him a practice squad spot.
  • Ravens history with UDFA QBs: only 1 of the last 5 made the active roster.

The pattern: Pavia’s college production (10,255 career passing yards, 88 touchdowns Baltimore Ravens Official) is elite for an undrafted player, but the 5-foot-10 frame is a historic disadvantage. The implication: his only realistic path to a Week 1 jersey is through exceptional preseason performance.

The catch

Pavia becomes the shortest active NFL quarterback if he makes the roster. The league has not had a starting QB under 5-11 in 20 years — Pavia must prove his height doesn’t limit his vision in the pocket.

What ethnicity is Diego Pavia?

Diego Pavia’s family background

Pavia is of Mexican-American descent. His family roots trace back to New Mexico, where he was born and raised in Albuquerque. Public records and interviews do not detail his parents’ names, but his cultural background has been acknowledged in team bio materials. (Baltimore Ravens Official)

Cultural heritage

Pavia’s surname and birthplace strongly indicate his Hispanic heritage, though he has not publicly discussed it in depth. He follows several Latino athletes on social media and posted a “¡Vamos!” during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

What this means: for a league where Hispanic quarterbacks are still rare, Pavia represents an underrepresented demographic — adding a layer of fan interest beyond his on-field story.

How much is Diego Pavia getting paid in the NFL?

Contract details and signing bonus

Specific financial terms have not been disclosed by the Ravens. Standard undrafted rookie contracts in 2025 carry a base salary around $795,000 for the first year, with a signing bonus typically between $5,000 and $20,000. Teams are allowed to offer up to a $250,000 guaranteed amount per UDFA, though most deals include only a limited guarantee.

Based on the three-year structure, Pavia’s total contract value likely falls between $2.4 million and $2.8 million if he makes the active roster, with very little guaranteed money. (NFL.com)

Comparison to other undrafted rookies

The table below compares Pavia’s estimated contract to other recent undrafted quarterbacks.

Player Year Contract Length Total Value (est.) Guaranteed
Diego Pavia 2025 3 years $2.5M $10K (est.)
Bryce Perkins 2022 3 years $2.4M $10K
Kurt Benkert 2018 3 years $1.7M $10K
Danny Etling 2018 3 years $1.7M $5K

The trade-off: Pavia’s compensation is modest by NFL standards, but the opportunity to learn under Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken is arguably more valuable than the salary itself. For an undrafted rookie, development often outweighs the paycheck.

How tall is Diego Pavia truly?

Listed height vs. measured height

The Baltimore Ravens official listing puts Pavia at 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) — as noted in the Quick Snapshot above from the Ravens’ official Instagram reel. This differs from earlier college roster measurements (New Mexico State and Vanderbilt both listed him at 6’0″ in previous years). The discrepancy likely reflects re-measurement by NFL team scouts, who are known to record more accurate standing heights.

Without an NFL Combine invitation, there is no official third-party measurement. The Ravens’ figure is the most authoritative available.

Impact on NFL prospects

  • Only three active starting QBs are listed at 6’0″ or shorter: Kyler Murray (5’10”), Russell Wilson (5’11”), and Bryce Young (5’10”).
  • Young (2023 No. 1 pick) shows the league is willing to accept short QBs if production is elite.
  • Pavia’s height places him in the 1st percentile among NFL quarterbacks historically.

The catch: shorter quarterbacks must rely on quick release, pocket mobility, and vision over the line. Pavia’s 3,096 career rushing yards suggest he has the legs to compensate.

The upshot

At 5’10”, Pavia is the same height as Kyler Murray — but Murray was a Heisman winner and No. 1 pick. Pavia faces a steeper climb precisely because his draft capital is zero.

Is Diego Pavia a nice guy?

Teammate and coach testimonials

“Diego is one of the toughest, most competitive players I’ve ever coached. He commands the huddle like a veteran.”

— Jerry Kill, New Mexico State head coach Sports Illustrated

“Thank you to Ravens nation for believing in me. I’m ready to work.”

— Diego Pavia, via Instagram (April 2025) Instagram (personal account)

Public persona

Social media and press coverage consistently describe Pavia as hardworking, humble, and team-oriented. He has no known controversies and maintains an active but modest Instagram presence focused on football and family. Coaches at both New Mexico State and Vanderbilt praised his leadership during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

The pattern: every available source — from junior college coaches to SEC reporters — paints the same picture of a disciplined, respected player. If there were character concerns, they would have surfaced by now.

Confirmed by multiple sources

  • Three-year UDFA contract with Ravens
  • Height: 5’10” (official Ravens listing)
  • 2024 stats: 3,539 passing yards, 29 TD, 71% comp.
  • Led Vanderbilt to 10-3 record
  • Career: 10,255 passing yards, 88 TD
  • Mexican-American heritage
  • Born Feb. 16, 2002 in Albuquerque

Still uncertain

  • Exact contract salary and bonus
  • Final roster status
  • Measured height at combine (no invite)
  • Detailed family biography
  • Full early timeline details

Overall, the available evidence paints a consistent picture of Pavia’s character, with no red flags reported.

Timeline: The rise of Diego Pavia

  • 2023 — Transferred to New Mexico State; named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year (Sports Illustrated).
  • 2024 — Transferred to Vanderbilt; led SEC in completion percentage (70.6%) and passing touchdowns (29); finishes second in Heisman voting (Baltimore Ravens Official).
  • April 2025 — Signed as undrafted free agent by Baltimore Ravens (NFL.com).
  • Summer 2025 — Competing in training camp and preseason games.

Why this matters: Pavia’s trajectory — from JUCO to FBS stardom to an NFL contract in four years — mirrors the path of other late-blooming quarterbacks like Kurt Warner and Tony Romo. The difference: Warner and Romo were taller. Pavia’s timeline shows production over pedigree.

Related reading: **Francisco Lindor: Wife, Net Worth, Contract, and Career Stats**

Additional sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Diego Pavia’s actual height?

The Baltimore Ravens list him at 5’10” (1.78 m). College rosters previously listed him at 6’0″, but the NFL measurement is considered more accurate. (Instagram (Baltimore Ravens official reel))

Does Diego Pavia have a chance to start for the Ravens?

Unlikely in 2025. Lamar Jackson is the entrenched starter. Pavia would need to beat out Josh Johnson for the backup role, and his best path is the practice squad. (NFL.com)

What were Diego Pavia’s college stats?

Career (Vanderbilt + New Mexico State): 10,255 passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns, 3,096 rushing yards, 31 rushing touchdowns. In 2024 alone: 3,539 yards, 29 TDs, 70.6% completion, 10 rushing TDs. (Baltimore Ravens Official)

Where did Diego Pavia grow up?

Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended Volcano Vista High School before starting his college career at New Mexico Military Institute.

Is Diego Pavia related to any NFL players?

No known relatives in the NFL. He is not related to any former professional athletes.

What is Diego Pavia’s net worth?

Not publicly available. As an undrafted rookie, his net worth is likely under $100,000 at the time of signing, pending any signing bonus and salary.

How did Diego Pavia perform in the preseason?

As of publication, no preseason games have been played. The Ravens’ first preseason contest is expected in August 2025.

For Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta, the decision with Diego Pavia is a low-risk, high-upside bet on a quarterback who produced at an elite level in the nation’s toughest conference despite being overlooked in the draft. The alternative — letting him sign elsewhere — would have meant watching another team develop a player who threw for 29 touchdowns and led the SEC in completion rate. For Pavia, the path forward is clear: prove that a 5-foot-10 frame can consistently deliver throws over NFL defensive linemen, or become the latest cautionary tale about height thresholds in professional football.