Vanderbilt QB Pavia to throw at NFL combine despite size concerns

Heisman Trophy runner-up plans to showcase skills despite being undersized compared to expected No. 1 pick Mendoza.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 7:43pm

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Quarterback Diego Pavia, who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, says he will throw passes at the NFL scouting combine on Saturday, even as expected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza waits for his pro day on April 1. Pavia is viewed as a later-round pick largely due to his smaller stature, measuring just under 5-foot-10, compared to the 6-foot-5 Mendoza. However, Pavia exudes confidence in his mental processing abilities and plans to showcase his skills at the combine before focusing on Vanderbilt's pro day on March 18.

Why it matters

Pavia's decision to throw at the combine is a bold move, as many top quarterback prospects opt to wait for their school's pro day to showcase their skills. This could help Pavia stand out and potentially improve his draft stock, but also carries the risk of underwhelming performances in front of NFL scouts and executives.

The details

Pavia, the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting, will not go through additional on-field drills at the combine and will instead wait for Vanderbilt's pro day on March 18. He is viewed as a later-round pick largely due to his smaller stature, measuring just under 5-foot-10, compared to the 6-foot-5 Mendoza, the expected No. 1 overall pick. However, Pavia exudes confidence in his mental processing abilities and believes his mind is underrated.

  • The NFL scouting combine is taking place this weekend in Indianapolis.
  • Vanderbilt's pro day is scheduled for March 18.
  • Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza's pro day is set for April 1.

The players

Diego Pavia

A quarterback who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting and plans to throw passes at the NFL scouting combine, despite concerns about his smaller size compared to other top quarterback prospects.

Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy winner and expected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, who plans to wait until his pro day on April 1 to showcase his skills.

Clark Lea

The head coach of the Vanderbilt football team, who has stressed that a player's frontal lobe is not fully developed until age 25.

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What they’re saying

“I think my mind is just underrated, just the way I process. I feel like I'm a fast processor.”

— Diego Pavia, Quarterback

“(Vanderbilt) Coach (Clark) Lea always stressed that your frontal lobe isn't fully developed until you're 25, and I just turned 24. So I've got like 360 days to go.”

— Diego Pavia, Quarterback

What’s next

Pavia will participate in throwing drills at the NFL scouting combine on Saturday, while Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza will wait until his pro day on April 1 to showcase his skills.

The takeaway

Pavia's decision to throw at the combine despite concerns about his size demonstrates his confidence in his mental processing abilities and willingness to take a risk to potentially improve his draft stock. However, this bold move could also backfire if he underwhelms in front of NFL scouts and executives.