Diego Pavia, the Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback who lit up college football in 2024 and 2025 with his dual-threat style, gritty play, and a trophy case full of accolades (including the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2025), is now one of the most intriguing prospects heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
But as the pre-draft process ramps up—with the Senior Bowl already in the books and the NFL Combine looming—much of the conversation around Pavia has zeroed in on one thing: his height and weight. Official measurements have sparked debate, memes, and real questions about his draft stock in a league that still obsesses over prototypical size at the quarterback position.
The Official Listings vs. Reality
For years, Pavia’s listed measurements were straightforward and respectable:
Vanderbilt’s official roster (and echoed by ESPN and other sites): 6’0″ tall and 207 pounds.
This made sense on paper—he looked sturdy in game footage, especially when leading Vanderbilt’s offense through tough SEC matchups.
But the truth came out at the Senior Bowl in late January 2026, where prospects get officially measured in a controlled, no-shoes, no-padding environment.
Diego Pavia’s verified Senior Bowl measurements:
Height: 5’9 7/8″ (often rounded to about 5’10” or precisely 5 feet 9.875 inches)
Weight: 198 pounds
That’s a noticeable drop—about 2-3 inches shorter and 9 pounds lighter than his college listings. It’s not uncommon for schools to “generously” list heights (many programs add an inch or two for marketing or tradition), but this gap has fueled plenty of chatter. Fans and analysts pointed out that Pavia himself has acknowledged in interviews being “a smidge under” 5’10”, and photos from events (like standing next to taller teammates) had already sparked height debates during his Vandy tenure.
Why Size Matters for QBs in the NFL Draft
In the modern NFL, quarterback prototypes have evolved—mobile, accurate passers like Russell Wilson (5’11”), Kyler Murray (5’10”), and even Baker Mayfield (6’1″ but undersized by old standards) have succeeded. But the league still favors length for seeing over the line, taking hits, and throwing with velocity.
At 5’9 7/8″ and 198 lbs, Pavia enters rare territory for a projected QB prospect:
He’s shorter than almost every recent first- or second-round QB.
Comparable current NFL players at similar height are mostly skill-position guys (e.g., receivers or return specialists like KaVontae Turpin or Josh Downs), not quarterbacks.
The last sub-6’0″ QB to have real NFL success as a starter was Murray, and even he was a top-1 overall pick with elite athletic traits.
Scouts will weigh this heavily. Pavia’s frame is compact and sturdy—he’s built more like a running back or slot receiver in terms of density—but questions about durability (taking sacks) and vision over the offensive line will follow him to the Combine.
The Flip Side: Tape Over Tape Measure
Pavia’s story isn’t about size—it’s about production and intangibles. The Albuquerque native went from JUCO (New Mexico Military Institute, where he won an NJCAA title) to New Mexico State (CUSA Offensive Player of the Year) to Vanderbilt, where he became a First-Team All-American, SEC Newcomer of the Year, and a Heisman contender-level performer in 2025.
His game is electric:
Dual-threat menace with quickness, vision as a runner, and escapability.
Downfield accuracy and arm talent that popped in big games.
Leadership and toughness—he’s the ultimate “underdog” archetype who thrives when doubted.
Many evaluators argue his tape should outweigh the measurements. In a league shifting toward scheme-fit, RPO-heavy, mobile offenses, a 5’10” (ish) QB with his skill set could carve out a role—perhaps as a high-end backup, gadget player, or even starter if he lands in the right system (think a creative OC like Sean Payton or Kliff Kingsbury).
What to Watch at the NFL Combine
The Combine in February/March 2026 will be huge for Pavia:
Will he re-measure taller in shoes or different conditions? (Unlikely to change much.)
Explosive athletic testing (40-yard dash, vertical, broad jump) could highlight his burst and help offset size concerns—he’s rumored to run in the mid-4.5s.
Interviews and medicals will matter—teams want to know about durability given the lighter frame.
Bottom line: Diego Pavia’s height and weight have become the headline, but his journey from overlooked recruit to award-winning QB shows why he’s worth betting on. In a draft class full of bigger names, his “undersized warrior” narrative could make him one of the most compelling Day 3 picks—or even earlier if a team falls in love with his tape.
The NFL has seen shorter QBs defy odds before. Pavia might just be next.
