Diego Pavia’s time with the Baltimore Ravens ended in July, a quick NFL exit for the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up. Now the former Vanderbilt quarterback says his agent and the UFL are in negotiations, and fans have lined up behind the idea.

Pavia made those talks public on X on Tuesday night, about three months after his release. And while he has yet to land with a team, the replies came in quickly, with some fans pointing to what his name could bring to the league and others simply wishing him well.

Why Fans See Diego Pavia as a Boost for the UFL

Pavia wrote on X: “Appreciate everyone reaching out with everything on my career. My agent @malkikawa and the UFL are currently in negotiations to make this happen! Whatever team I end up at, I can promise you one thing- You will get everything I got 💯.”

Much of the response centered on the league rather than the player, and Anthony Miller laid out that case in full: “Massive for the UFL. Big name that will bring attention to the league and someone who has succeeded at the highest level in college. 2027 is going to be a big year for the league. Let’s hope this works out.”

The college success that Miller pointed to came at Vanderbilt. Pavia spent two seasons at New Mexico State, then quarterbacked the SEC program to 17 wins over two seasons, 10 of them in 2025.

Off the field, he sued the NCAA on antitrust grounds over its decision to count his junior college time toward his eligibility. A federal judge in Tennessee then issued an injunction that cleared him for a sixth college season.

Another fan didn’t hold back: “Officially Official. Could be a massive uptick in younger demographics for the #UFL.” No deal has been finalized, though.

Others kept it brief.

“Type of players the UFL needs tbh,” another fan wrote.

Another fan was already looking ahead to next year: “Spring football’s about to get even more exciting, come on down Pavia!”

One fan added, “The UFL is entertaining. Ready to see you on the field.”

Pavia Draws Personal Support After the Baltimore Ravens Let Him Go

Not every reply was about the UFL’s profile. Several fans simply offered Pavia encouragement as he looks for his next shot, including one who wrote, “Rooting for you to do well!”

Replying directly to Pavia, one person wrote, “The UFL is a lot of fun. Really looking forward to watching you play.”

Another fan’s reply came with a challenge attached: “Go be great. Show em what they missing out on!”

The idea of Pavia in the UFL isn’t new. Once the 5-foot-10, 207-pound quarterback went undrafted in this year’s NFL Draft, ESPN’s Pat McAfee used the April 27 episode of his show to describe Pavia and the UFL as “a match made in heaven.”

Pavia went the NFL route first, signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent, and even a built-in connection didn’t keep him in Baltimore. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is close to Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea, who coached Pavia for two seasons and hired Minter as his defensive coordinator in 2021.

Pavia had been in the mix for the Ravens’ No. 3 quarterback job in the spring, but Baltimore waived him on July 23, days before training camp opened, to clear a 90-man roster spot for veteran center Ethan Pocic. The move left veteran Skylar Thompson and undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano as the contenders for that job.

The Columbus Aviators hold the No. 1 overall pick in the UFL Draft, set for Nov. 18 in St. Louis, and they quoted Pavia’s announcement on X.