Diego Pavia, the former Vanderbilt standout quarterback who almost took home the Heisman last year, was spotted in the stands at Folsom Field on Saturday night, watching Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes battle No. 11 Utah. Talk about a plot twist, right? This dude was slinging it for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2025, finishing second in the freakin’ Heisman Trophy voting. Yet, here he is, an undrafted free agent who got waived by the Baltimore Ravens before the 2026 season even kicked off. Wild.
From Heisman Runner-Up to Free Agent: What Happened?
You don’t just put up numbers like 3,539 yards and 29 scores and slide to No. 2 in Heisman voting without being a legitimate talent. Pavia was doing the dang thing at Vanderbilt in 2025, absolutely shredding defenses. He was the guy everyone was talking about, a legitimate star. But football is a brutal business, and after signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent, his pro journey hit a snag. He was waived before the 2026 season, leaving a lot of us scratching our heads and wondering what the future holds for a talent that electric.
The Coach Prime Connection That Still Lingers
So, why was Pavia at a Colorado game, especially with his own career in such a unique spot? Turns out, there’s history here. While Pavia never actually played under Deion Sanders, Coach Prime extended a scholarship offer when he was coaching at Jackson State. That connection runs deep, and Pavia himself has said, “I do wish I could, you know, play for Coach Prime,” according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Imagine that pairing. The talent Pavia showed in 2025, throwing for almost 3,600 yards, combined with Coach Prime’s high-octane offense. It’s a “what if” scenario that just hangs in the air, especially as Colorado currently sits at a 2-3 record this 2026 season, while Utah is rolling at 5-0.
Seeing Pavia at Folsom Field, even after his impressive 2025 season and subsequent waiver, just puts an exclamation point on how wild college and pro football can be. You’ve got a guy with that kind of resume, still clearly invested in the game, still thinking about the coaches he could have played for. It makes you wonder what’s next for the 24-year-old quarterback.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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