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Deion Sanders Shares Emotional Message After Ex-Heisman Finalist’s NFL Dream Takes Hit
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- Deion Sanders Shares Emotional Message After Ex-Heisman Finalist’s NFL Dream Takes Hit
Diego Pavia climbed from New Mexico State to Vanderbilt and finished second in the 2025 Heisman voting. Then came the NFL, and it was over before a single regular-season game. So his future went right back to being unclear.
But here's the thing about old football connections. They don't just vanish. A weekend in Boulder put Pavia back in front of coach Deion Sanders who once offered him a scholarship.
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Deion Sanders Sends Diego Pavia a Public Show of Support
Well, the message didn't take long to land, and it was personal. Deion Sanders responded to Pavia's Instagram post with, "Love ya, man! You are a real 1. God bless u." Sanders wrote that after the former Vanderbilt quarterback thanked Colorado for its welcome.
Apr 11, 2026; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
"Boulder, thank you guys, for an awesome experience. I loved the way you guys got rowdy for the ball players." He continued, "I was super entertained myself, and I will definitely be back to support my guys! SKOO BUFFS ???? Also thank you to @deionsanders & @deionsandersjr for taking care of me this weekend and treating me like family. Love you guys forever. For you guys that didn't get to watch, check out my YouTube channel for the lit weekend!!"
The exchange followed Pavia's visit to Colorado's game against Utah on October 17. He said he went to support Sanders after telling viewers on a livestream, "I do wish I could play for Coach Prime." And Pavia added that none of it happens without Sanders' earlier offer.
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So what was that offer, exactly? It goes back to Sanders' time at Jackson State. Pavia said Sanders was honest with him that he'd sit behind Sanders' son, Shedeur. So Pavia chose New Mexico State first, then transferred to Vanderbilt.
Diego Pavia's NFL Future Remains Unsettled After Ravens Waiver
Now, the timing of all this matters because Pavia's college résumé did not earn him a draft selection. He threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns at Vanderbilt in 2025, added 862 rushing yards and 10 scores, and finished second in Heisman voting to Fernando Mendoza.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, left, chats with freshman quarterback Jared Curtis, right, during football pro day at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 20, 2026.
After all that, the Baltimore Ravens signed Pavia as an undrafted free agent in April and gave him a three-year, $3.1 million contract. Then came July 23. They waived him to clear a roster spot for veteran offensive lineman Ethan Pocic. Just like that, Pavia had no team.
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Sanders had already gone public with encouragement after the release, posting, "I BELIEVE IN YOU, MY MAN!" That message and the new Instagram reply show continued personal support, but neither confirms a coaching role or a path back onto a roster.
Deion Sanders a.k.a. Coach Rime of the Colorado Buffaloes (Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
So what's next? Open, for now. Reuters reported that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hold Pavia's CFL negotiating rights, which gives him another professional route if an NFL team does not call. And Sanders' backing is a public show of faith, not a job offer.
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The post Deion Sanders Shares Emotional Message After Ex-Heisman Finalist's NFL Dream Takes Hit appeared first on Gridiron Heroics .
