A recent sighting at the Colorado Buffaloes vs. Utah Utes game drew attention from NFL insider circles, coming only a day after Pavia expressed interest in joining Deion Sanders’ program. During a Twitch livestream, Pavia admitted that he would welcome the opportunity to play for Coach Prime, noting that an offer could lead to further interest from other teams. “I do wish I could, you know, play for Coach Prime. I feel like when you get offered in football, more offers come. So, in a way, I wouldn’t be here without Coach Prime’s offer. So, I came to support him, his team,” he said.
Earlier in his college career, Pavia did receive an offer from Jackson State when Sanders was the head coach there. He discussed this recruitment during a December 2025 appearance on The Pivot Podcast, explaining that Sanders was candid about the role available. “Coach Prime offered me at Jackson State,” Pavia said. “But he was so real. He was like, ‘Hey, look. We’re looking for a backup. You ain’t playing over my son even if he gets hurt.’ And I’m like, at least he’s real, you know? So I took the offer to New Mexico State.”
That decision redirected the trajectory of Pavia’s career. After two seasons at New Mexico State, he transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024, launching his FBS career. He helped Vanderbilt make a notable impact, including an upset over Alabama that year, and he became known for a distinctive on-field persona.
In 2025, Pavia threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns, helping Vanderbilt achieve its first 10-win season. He finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Despite a strong college résumé, Pavia’s path to the NFL stalled. He went undrafted in 2026 and signed with the Ravens, but he was waived in July of the same year. Since then, he has yet to secure another NFL opportunity, leaving his professional prospects uncertain after a standout senior season.
In the wake of his release, Sanders offered encouraging words to Pavia, telling him on social media, “I BELIEVE IN YOU, MY MAN. Stay strong and don’t let up. Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget. Much Love & God bless you.”
Pavia’s visit to Boulder coincided with Colorado’s ongoing quarterback uncertainty ahead of the Utah game, with Isaac Wilson starting after Julian Lewis was benched. The Buffaloes have faced ongoing quarterback turnover under Sanders, following the departure of Shedeur Sanders. If Pavia becomes part of Colorado’s offense, it could influence the team’s quarterback dynamics moving forward.
Overall, the narrative surrounding Diego Pavia is one of a high-potential quarterback navigating the challenging transition from college stardom to the professional ranks, with his future tied in some ways to the ongoing developments within Deion Sanders’ programs.
