As Vanderbilt quarterback prospect Diego Pavia progresses through the NFL Draft process, he has the support of former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, who is offering guidance based on his own experiences in the league. At a recent NFL combine event, Pavia expressed gratitude for Manziel’s mentorship, stating, “He’s giving me some good advice, for sure. He always reaches out, too, checks up on me to make sure I’m good. He’s just a friend to me, and so he’s given me some mentorship.”
Manziel, who played for Texas A&M from 2011 to 2013 and became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. However, his career was marred by off-field issues leading to his release from the Browns in 2016 after which he spent time in the CFL, AAF, and arena football leagues. Despite his tumultuous path, Manziel is eager to help Pavia avoid similar pitfalls.
“He’s young and lit, and it’s easy in that position to get out of control,” Manziel said. “I’m trying to give him the best advice I can. He’s listening. I think he is, so that’s a blessing.” Pavia reflected on the notion of maturity, recalling Coach Clark Lea’s words about brain development, noting, “I just turned 24, so I’ve got like 365 days to go.”
Pavia had an impressive season, finishing with 3,539 passing yards, 29 touchdown passes, 8 interceptions, along with 862 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He narrowly missed out on the Heisman Trophy, finishing as the runner-up to Fernando Mendoza.
In a light-hearted twist, Manziel and Pavia even made a friendly bet on whether Pavia can beat Manziel’s 4.68-second 40-yard dash time from the 2014 combine, with a wager of $1,000 on the line.
With Manziel in his corner, Pavia is not just preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft; he is also embracing the lessons of resilience and responsibility that his mentor embodies. This bond between the two quarterbacks highlights the potential for growth and positive influence as Pavia seeks to carve his own path in the NFL.