Emerging
Published Jul 23, 2026Updated Jul 23 Major5
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Ravens Waive Heisman Runner-up Diego Pavia Before Training Camp
The Baltimore Ravens waived 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia on Thursday to make roster space for veteran center Ethan Pocic. Pavia, who signed as an undrafted free agent and led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season, faced questions about his 5-foot-10 height and off-field behavior. The Ravens will carry four quarterbacks into training camp, with Thompson and Fagnano competing for the third spot.
Quick Facts
- Ravens waived quarterback Diego Pavia
- Pavia signed as undrafted free agent in April 2026
- Pavia competed for third quarterback spot
- Ethan Pocic signed as free agent center
- Pavia finished runner-up in 2025 Heisman Trophy voting
The Baltimore Ravens waived quarterback Diego Pavia on Thursday, one day before rookie camp opened, to create roster space for veteran center Ethan Pocic. Pavia, who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in April 2026, had been competing for the third quarterback spot behind starters Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.
Pavia finished as runner-up in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting behind Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, becoming the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted in 12 years. At Vanderbilt, he led the Commodores to a 10-3 record—the program's first 10-win season—while passing for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushing for 10 more. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-American, and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Scouts and analysts cited concerns about Pavia's 5-foot-10 height and off-field behavior as factors limiting his NFL prospects. After finishing second in the Heisman vote, Pavia posted on Instagram with the caption "F- ALL THE VOTERS" and a thumbs-down emoji; he later apologized for the post.
With Pavia's release, the Ravens now have four quarterbacks on their 90-man roster: Jackson, Huntley, veteran Skylar Thompson, and undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano from Connecticut. The competition for the QB3 spot will proceed between Thompson and Fagnano during training camp. ESPN's Jamison Hensley has predicted only Jackson and Huntley will make the 53-man roster, with Pavia likely joining the practice squad as an emergency option if he remains in the organization.
Pocic signed a one-year free agent contract with the Ravens carrying a maximum value of $4.5 million. Rookies and injured veterans reported to training camp on Friday, with the first full-team practice scheduled for Wednesday.
Topics
Why This Matters
The Ravens' waiver of Pavia, a Heisman runner-up, clarifies the team's quarterback depth chart one day before training camp. Pavia's release frees a roster spot for veteran center Pocic ($4.5M max value contract) and reduces the QB competition to Thompson and Fagnano for the third-string role. The decision reflects NFL teams' consistent valuation of physical prototypes and documented character concerns over award accolades; it signals measurable uncertainty about Pavia's path to a 53-man roster versus the practice squad.
Related Signals
Sources
- Baltimore Ravens Diego Pavia C52e171726a4965c0a2e8fd00874d1bcapWireJul 23, 2026
- Ravens Waive Diego Pavia Before Training CampBaltimore RavensMediaJul 23, 2026
- Ravens Undrafted College Star Predicted to Miss 53-Man RosterHeavy.comMediaJul 23, 2026
- Diego Pavia: Waived by BaltimoreCBS SportsMediaJul 23, 2026
- Ravens waive rookie Diego Pavia to make room for Ethan PocicESPNMediaJul 23, 2026