Ravens waive Diego Pavia as Ethan Pocic signing becomes official
Baltimore cut rookie QB Diego Pavia to clear a roster spot for veteran center Ethan Pocic before training camp opens.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The Ravens waive Diego Pavia story landed just before camp: Baltimore cut the rookie quarterback on Thursday so veteran center Ethan Pocic could be added to the roster after his free-agent deal became official, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley reported.
Pavia had joined Baltimore in April as an undrafted free agent. According to ESPN, he was the first Heisman Trophy finalist in 12 years to go undrafted, a sharp turn for a quarterback who had just powered Vanderbilt through a landmark season.
The roster move came one day before Ravens quarterbacks, rookies and injured veterans were scheduled to report for training camp. ESPN reported that Baltimore’s first full-team practice is set for Wednesday.
Why did the Ravens waive Diego Pavia?
ESPN reported that Baltimore waived Pavia to create room for Pocic, whose free-agent contract was officially signed. The Ravens had agreed to a one-year deal with Pocic last week worth up to $4.5 million, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported, citing sources.
Pocic gives Baltimore a veteran option at center as camp begins. The move cost Pavia his roster spot before he could get a long summer look in front of the full team.
After Pavia’s departure, ESPN listed Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, Skylar Thompson and undrafted former UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano among the quarterbacks remaining with Baltimore. Jackson remains the starter, while Huntley and Thompson bring veteran experience behind him.
Who is Diego Pavia?
Pavia arrived in the NFL after a standout season at Vanderbilt. ESPN reported that he ranked second among FBS players with 334.8 total yards per game and led the Commodores to a 10-3 record, the first double-digit-win season in program history.
His production was not subtle. ESPN reported that Pavia threw 29 touchdown passes and ran for 10 more, earning first-team All-American honors and SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
He also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to college football’s top upperclassman quarterback, according to ESPN.
Pavia finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Fernando Mendoza, ESPN reported. After the vote, Pavia posted a profane message on Instagram directed at voters along with a thumbs-down emoji, then later apologized, according to ESPN.
During the predraft process, ESPN reported that teams had questions about Pavia’s age, listed at 24, his 5-foot-10 height and off-field decision-making. He still landed with the Ravens after the draft, only to be waived before the club’s first full-team camp practice.
For Baltimore, the move is a tidy roster math decision at the start of camp. For Pavia, it is another quick twist after a college season packed with numbers, awards and national attention.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.