Diego Pavia has recently made headlines, but not just for his impressive college football accomplishments. Official measurements from the Senior Bowl have revealed that the quarterback’s listed height from Vanderbilt was significantly inflated. Pavia, originally reported to stand at 6 feet tall, was officially measured at 5 feet 9.875 inches. This discrepancy of over two inches has raised some eyebrows, as many suspected he was not as tall as listed.
The 23-year-old quarterback has experienced a noteworthy college career spanning six years. After beginning at New Mexico Military Institute in the junior college system, he played two seasons at New Mexico State before transferring to Vanderbilt for the 2024 season. Pavia’s 2025 season proved to be a standout year, where he achieved his career highs: a 70.6% completion rate, 3,539 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, and a standout passer rating of 170.4. He also showed his dual-threat capabilities with 862 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns while maintaining a low interception count of eight. His overall performance led Vanderbilt to a remarkable 10-3 record, marking one of the school’s strongest seasons in over a century.
Though Pavia’s impressive performances earned him accolades, including the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and selection as first-team All-SEC, he fell short of winning the Heisman Trophy, which was awarded to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Despite his achievements, Pavia is projected to be a late-round NFL draft pick or possibly go undrafted, primarily due to concerns regarding his height.
While Pavia’s official measurements may be disappointing to some, his determination and skills have not gone unnoticed. His college performance reflects the potential for a bright future in the industry, even as the draft approaches.