Deion Sanders Had Best Reaction To Diego Pavia Not Getting Drafted

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders was among those to react to former Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft this weekend.

Pavia, a standout quarterback at Vanderbilt, became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted in 12 years. Pavia was not selected in the seven-round 2026 NFL Draft, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pavia will now have to fight his way onto an NFL roster via an undrafted free agent contract.

Coach Prime, who starred in the NFL coming out of Florida State, doesn't know what it's like to go unselected. However, some people close to him do. Sanders' son, Shilo, went undrafted a couple of years ago. Shilo Sanders ended up signing an undrafted free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sanders sent a classy message to Pavia following the NFL Draft.

"I BELIEVE IN YOU MY MAN!" Sanders wrote on X. "Stay strong and don't let up. Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget. Much Love & God bless you."

Pavia had a huge final year at Vanderbilt, throwing for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns, earning a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

But NFL teams had little to no interest in drafting him over the weekend.

Sanders is being praised for his cool message

"Coach Prime, much respect you are a real one. Diego carries more than his own dream; he carries the hopes of an entire culture of kids in New Mexico who know what it feels like to be doubted, unseen, and counted out. But faith has a way of creating a path," one wrote.

"God bless him he deserves a chance all that hard word people are terrible such haters," one shared.

"Nice. Always giving positive advice!" one shared.

"Love to see it!" one shared.

Pavia, meanwhile, has an uphill battle ahead of him, as it's very tough to make it in the NFL after going undrafted. Plenty of players have done it before, though. He'll look to become the next one.

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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 10:09 AM.