Diego Pavia did not hear his name called during the NFL Draft, which made him the first Heisman Trophy runner-up to go undrafted since 2005. His conduct off of the field likely had something to do with it.
The 24-year-old quarterback is often labeled as “Johnny Manziel 2.0” because of his behavior.
To make matters worse, Pavia could not keep a low profile before the start of his NFL career. He hung out with aspiring influencers on social media and even hit a strip club in his hometown of Albuquerque.
Diego Pavia’s behavior is a red flag.
Pavia is the most controversial player in recent college football history. The former juco quarterback burst onto the scene at New Mexico State in 2023 and led the Aggies to their first 10-win season in program history. He ultimately transferred to Vanderbilt after two seasons and led the Commodores to their first 10-win season in program history to finish second in Heisman Trophy voting.
Pavia completed 70.6% of his passes for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns with only eight interceptions and ran for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sixth-year senior. Love him or hate him, you watched!
As good as he was in college, Pavia’s (lack of) height and behavior led him to go undrafted in the NFL. Although he is largely misunderstood as an individual, and by all accounts a great locker room guy who only cares about winning, he raised multiple red flags with his actions beyond the gridiron.
Diego Pavia urinated on the practice field of a rival while at New Mexico State, partied with Manziel in Miami during a bye week at Vanderbilt, took a shot at Indiana and Fernando Mendoza while at the club in New York City, showed disrespect toward the Heisman Trophy by refusing to remove his earbuds and allegedly smashed a fan’s iPhone at a bar on the night before the Senior Bowl. That is in addition to his brothers’ arrests for public intoxication, among other incidents. His mom’s viral video also did not help.
Look at this filthy strumpet. #poverty pic.twitter.com/7rRfAbkMeL
— Vol Knight Long (@BatteredVawl516) November 22, 2025
Those who know Pavia personally know he actually does have his head on pretty straight. It is the optics that hurt him. Especially when he surrounds himself with Johnny Manziel. Perhaps not the best mentor.
Don’t go to the strip club before the NFL Draft…
If Diego Pavia was going to get drafted, it would’ve been in the sixth or seventh round. NFL organizations chose to pass. He quickly signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in high demand, but did not hear his name called. His height and behavior proved to risky, I guess.
It probably definitely didn’t help that Pavia did not keep a low profile leading up to the NFL Draft.
The 24-year-old spent his time with an aspiring social media influencer by the name of Milan Maree. She currently boasts ~10,000 followers on TikTok and ~3,000 followers on Instagram.
They linked up in Dallas at the end of March. I do not know the extent of their relationship or why they were together, but she posted a video that joked about the high cost of dinner.
There is nothing wrong with the video but it certainly does not help to dispel the concerns about Pavia. He doesn’t need to be on TikTok with an unidentified female just a few weeks before the NFL Draft.
And it does not stop there. TMZ shared a video from March 8 that shows Pavia at Knockouts Gentlemen’s Club in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The newest Ravens quarterback threw a wad of cash at a scantily-clothed exotic dancer who shook her cheeks in his face. Yikes.
I’ll give credit where credit is due. Diego Pavia is nothing if not consistent. He is unapologetically himself. He wins football games.
However, it seems like a bad idea to hit a strip club leading up to the NFL Draft. Especially as a prospect who is often dinged for his partying. Just lay low for a few months! Make the team and then go celebrate!