Diego Pavia plans to represent himself in the NFL Draft process instead of hiring an agent, a decision that could hurt his draft stock.
The Vanderbilt quarterback told Jon Gruden he’s handling his own representation. Pavia cited his experience negotiating his return to Vanderbilt this past season as proof he can manage the process alone. However, he had a legal team supporting those negotiations.
“I’m representing himself,” Pavia told Jon Gruden recently.
The move puts Pavia at a disadvantage as NFL teams evaluate prospects.
Most draft analysts project Pavia as a Day 3 pick rather than a top-100 selection. Without an agent working phones and building relationships with teams, he risks dropping into undrafted territory entirely.
“I didn’t think it was fair that someone was going to represent me and take five to 10 percent. Ain’t nobody taking my money, I’ll tell you that,” Pavia added.
Recent history shows the risks of self-representation. Shedeur Sanders also entered the draft without an agent and fell from projected first-round status to No. 144 in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Agents provide value beyond just negotiating contracts. They maintain relationships with team executives and scouts throughout the year.
Pavia’s college production speaks for itself. He threw for 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions during his senior season at Vanderbilt, earning Heisman runner-up honors.
The Commodores finished 10-3 under Pavia’s leadership, the best record in program history.
Despite his on-field success, Pavia’s approach to the draft process reveals his inexperience with NFL operations. The decision to forgo professional representation could cost him significantly when teams make their final evaluations.
More college football news:
NEW: Diego Pavia DOESN’T have an agent representing him:
Pavia: “I didn’t think it was fair that someone was going to represent me and take 5-10%… ain’t nobody taking my money.” pic.twitter.com/ZK1bBGaAzL
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) April 7, 2026
