Former Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia is not softening his stance as he transitions from college football to the NFL.

At the NFL Combine, Pavia made it clear that outside opinions do not shape his approach. The draft prospect confirmed he plans to throw for scouts Saturday and addressed the criticism that followed him throughout his college career.

“One thing about me is I don’t care what people think about me,” Pavia told ESPN’s Stephen Holder.

Polarizing but Productive

Pavia led Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record in 2025 — the first 10-win season in program history. His play elevated the Commodores into national relevance, but his outspoken personality and social media presence drew attention as well.

After finishing as Heisman Trophy runner-up, Pavia faced backlash for posting a message that included “F-All THE VOTERS” before later issuing an apology. He maintains that much of the criticism stems from media narratives designed for engagement.

Critics aside, Pavia believes his edge is part of what made him an effective leader.

“I feel like a lot of teams love the tenacity, the fight,” he said. “The life of an underdog, that’s for sure. And, so, they ask questions. But you go back, you look at my record, ain’t nothing on my record.”

Size Questions Remain

NFL evaluators will also weigh Pavia’s physical profile. Measuring under 5-foot-10, he falls below traditional size benchmarks for the quarterback position.

Still, he dismissed concerns by pointing to his performance against elite competition.

“I would just say turn on the tape,” Pavia said. “It’s not like we’re not playing these guys that are going first-round, second-round [picks] on Saturdays in the SEC. So, the SEC and the Big Ten probably have the most guys getting drafted in the first, second round. So, we’re playing those guys and ain’t nothing going to change.”

Built on Being Counted Out

Pavia credits his confidence to a career path that began in junior college before climbing to SEC prominence. He argues that being overlooked fueled his development.

“I just want everyone to know what’s true about me is I’m humble and I get my confidence from my process. And if you saw how much I put into this, you would see where I get my confidence.”

As draft boards take shape, Pavia remains unapologetically himself. For teams searching for competitiveness and resilience, that authenticity may matter as much as measurables.