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As NFL scouts and executives gather in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is making it clear he is not concerned about what critics think - especially when it comes to his size.
At 6-foot-0, Pavia doesn't fit the traditional prototype many teams still prefer at quarterback. But after six seasons of college football and a historic year with the Commodores, he believes his production - and his football IQ - speak louder than measurables.
Diego Pavia Responds to NFL size concerns
When asked whether NFL teams should be worried about his height, Pavia didn't hesitate.
I would just say turn on the tape. It's not like we're not playing these guys that are going first round, second round on Saturdays in the SEC. So, I know the SEC and the Big Ten probably have the most guys getting drafted in the first and second round. So, we're playing those guys and ain't nothing going to change.
That confidence comes after a breakout season at Vanderbilt, where Pavia posted career-best numbers and helped guide the program to its first 10-win campaign in school history. Competing weekly against elite SEC defenses, he proved he could handle NFL-level talent across the line of scrimmage.
For evaluators focused on frame and arm length, Pavia's message is simple: performance against top competition matters more than inches on a measuring tape.
"Best Processor in the Draft", Pavia
Beyond physical tools, Pavia believes his greatest strength is mental.
He told reporters at the combine that he considers himself the "best processor" in this year's draft class - a bold claim in a quarterback group loaded with talent.
I feel like, more than my age, maturity, I played six years of college football, Pavia explained. I played two at JUCO, two at New Mexico State, two at Vanderbilt. I've seen a lot of football. I feel like I can process a defense really fast. Get the ball where it needs to go. Check us into good plays. Stay out of bad plays.
That experience, he argues, allows him to keep offenses on schedule - something he views as critical to winning at the next level.
"That's how you win football games," he added, emphasizing that decision-making and efficiency outweigh flash plays.
Pavia's journey is also unique. Unlike many top prospects who followed a straight path through Power Five programs, he developed through junior college and New Mexico State before landing in the SEC. That road, he says, sharpened both his resilience and his understanding of the game.
While speculation continues about where quarterbacks will land in the draft - with some projections already linking top prospects to early picks - Pavia is focused on proving he belongs in the conversation.
Over the next few weeks, interviews, pro days, and private workouts will further shape his stock. Ultimately, however, the draft in two months will determine whether teams buy into his belief that processing speed, poise, and production can outweigh traditional size concerns.
For now, Diego Pavia's stance is clear: if NFL teams have doubts, they only need to watch the film.