Chase Daniel Believes Diego Pavia's Height Won't Limit NFL Potential

Former NFL QB says Pavia's intangibles and winning pedigree outweigh concerns over his 5-foot-9 stature.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 2:31pm

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Former NFL quarterback-turned-analyst Chase Daniel believes that Diego Pavia's sub-6-foot height will not be a major disadvantage in the NFL. Daniel argues that Pavia, who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, has the necessary intangibles to succeed at the next level despite his smaller stature. Daniel points to other successful short quarterbacks like Bryce Young and Russell Wilson as examples that height is not the sole determining factor for NFL success.

Why it matters

Pavia's height has been a major point of concern for NFL scouts and analysts, with many believing it will limit his pro prospects. However, Daniel's endorsement challenges the conventional wisdom and suggests teams should focus more on Pavia's winning pedigree and overall skill set rather than his measurables.

The details

Pavia, who measured in at 5-foot-9 and 7/8 inches at the Senior Bowl, is poised to become the shortest quarterback in the NFL since the league merger if he is drafted. Many analysts have argued this height will be a significant disadvantage for Pavia at the professional level. But Daniel disagrees, noting that Pavia was superb at the Senior Bowl and that the 2026 QB class is relatively weak, providing an opportunity for teams to take a chance on the Vanderbilt product later in the draft.

  • Pavia finished second in the 2025 Heisman Trophy race.
  • Pavia was officially measured at 5'9" and 7/8 inches at the 2026 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

The players

Diego Pavia

A 23-year-old quarterback who finished second in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting after leading Vanderbilt to a 10-win season and back-to-back winning campaigns.

Chase Daniel

A former NFL quarterback who is now an analyst, providing commentary on Pavia's NFL prospects.

Bryce Young

The current shortest quarterback in the NFL at 5'10", who has already shown promise in the league.

Russell Wilson

A former NFL quarterback who had a successful career in Seattle despite being listed at 5'11".

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What they’re saying

“Is he a polarizing figure? Sure. Is he a winner? Absolutely. Look at all the quarterbacks that's short, right? How rarely are you throwing over people?”

— Chase Daniel, Analyst

“I don't get why people are so up in arms. Look, he was never gonna be a first overall pick. He was never gonna be a first-round pick. Why not take a waiver on him in the third round? Or the fourth round? Or the fifth round?”

— Chase Daniel, Analyst

“He was the best quarterback in the Senior Bowl... This is a very little quarterback class... There's a lot of backup-type guys. Why can't he have a career like me? 14 years as a backup... I don't understand the want to try and knock him for his height because what I see on the field is completely different. The dude's a baller.”

— Chase Daniel, Analyst

What’s next

Teams will have to decide whether to take a chance on Pavia in the upcoming NFL Draft, with his height potentially being a concern for some franchises despite Daniel's endorsement.

The takeaway

Pavia's height may be an issue for some NFL teams, but Chase Daniel's comments suggest that his winning pedigree, intangibles, and overall skill set could outweigh concerns about his stature. The 2026 draft class is relatively weak at quarterback, potentially opening the door for Pavia to be selected later than expected and prove he can succeed in the NFL despite being one of the shortest signal-callers in the league.