![\"Pavia.\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pavia.png\")
Diego Pavia speaking with Jon Gruden. @BarstoolGruden\/Facebook<\/p>\nHopefully Diego Pavia took some law courses at Vanderbilt.<\/p>\n
The polarizing Vanderbilt quarterback indicated he is \u201crepresenting himself\u201d ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, and said he previously negotiated his return to Vanderbilt this past season. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m representing myself,\u201d Pavia told Jon Gruden in his \u201cQB Class\u201d feature, although he did not make it clear if he meant during past negotiations or going forward.<\/p>\n
Diego Pavia speaking with Jon Gruden. @BarstoolGruden\/Facebook<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t think it was fair that someone was going to represent me and take five to 10 percent. Ain\u2019t nobody taking my money, I\u2019ll tell you that.\u201d <\/p>\n
Pavia is not the first notable athlete to represent himself, with Baltimore star quarterback Lamar Jackson doing so and signing a $260 million deal<\/a>, but he made some questionable comments about the process during his talk with Gruden that raises questions about whether he\u2019s taking the right approach.<\/p>\n For starters, NFL agents are capped at three percent of a player\u2019s contract,<\/a> not the five to 10 percent figure that Pavia floated.<\/p>\n He also provided some insight into his negotiations to return to Vanderbilt this past season that offered some unusual tactics.<\/p>\n Pavia transferred to Vanderbilt for the 2024 season after spending two years with New Mexico State, and said he had a few potential options in the transfer portal should he have transferred last offseason. <\/p>\n \u201cI knew where I wanted to stay. I told the (general manager), \u2018You guys kind of got me by the balls. You guys know coach (Jerry) Kill, coach (Tim) Beck is here, you know I\u2019m coming back, let\u2019s find a fair number that I can come back for,\u201d Pavia said. \u201cAnd so we worked it out.\u201d<\/p>\n Most folks would say that telling someone you\u2019re negotiating against \u201cYou kind of got me by the balls\u201d is a fantastic strategy, although maybe Michael Scott would approve.<\/p>\n It all worked out for Pavia this past campaign with the senior throwing 29 touchdown passes to eight interceptions to earn Heisman finalist honors while leading Vanderbilt to a 10-3 record .<\/p>\n Despite the success, there are questions about his viability at the next level.<\/p>\n There are concerns about his size since he\u2019s just 6-foot, and there are questions about his character after he said \u201cF\u2013k all the voters\u201d <\/a>following Fernando Mendoza winning the Heisman Trophy. <\/p>\n![\"Diego](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/diego-pavia-vanderbilt-commodores-throws-123286718.jpg\")
Diego Pavia during the NFL Combine. Getty Images<\/p>\n