At Ravens rookie minicamp, Diego Pavia looks to ‘make his mark’; Jesse Minter ‘stoked’ for new signing

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The Ravens’ rookie class features 11 draft picks, including the No. 14 overall selection, a ballyhooed pass rusher and five skill position players.

But the first question coach Jesse Minter got about a player Saturday afternoon, after the second day of rookie minicamp in Owings Mills, focused on an undrafted quarterback.

What were your first impressions of Diego Pavia? Why’d you bring him in? What do you hope he brings to the table?

“Diego, just like a lot of the undrafted free agents, is trying to make his mark,” Minter said.

Of course, Pavia’s not like a lot of undrafted rookies. He might be unlike any player in this year’s rookie class. In December, the then-Vanderbilt quarterback finished behind then-Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in Heisman Trophy voting. Last week, he became the first Heisman runner-up not to get drafted since Iowa’s Brad Banks in 2003.

That was not really a surprise. Not even after a 2025 season in which Pavia led the Southeastern Conference in passing accuracy (70.6%), passing touchdowns (29) and yards per attempt (9.4) and powered the Commodores to the first 10-win season in program history.

Pavia’s size and age (24) made him an outlier prospect. At the NFL scouting combine, he measured in at 5 foot 9 and 7/8 inches. Quarterbacks under 6-0 are often dinged because of their projected struggles in staying healthy and seeing the middle of the field. No quarterback under 5-10 has been drafted in the NFL’s modern era.

But Minter is close with Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea, and Ravens officials heard enough positive feedback to sign Pavia, along with former Connecticut quarterback Joe Fagnano, to their 90-man roster this week.

“I know the program that he came from,” Minter said. “I know a lot of people that worked with him. Kind of what I think he is as a person is a really, really hard worker. I think he really helped elevate that program in the SEC by playing against really good competition. And so now he’s in the door, and it’s like, ‘Show us what you can do, let the chips fall where they may,’ and just like all the undrafted rookies, that’s what I would say.”

Pavia, who was not made available to reporters Saturday, also has made headlines with his off-field antics. At some postgame news conferences last season, he wore a hat branded for his Heisman campaign. After the Heisman ceremony, he posted a photo on his Instagram story with the caption “F-All THE VOTERS,” which included a thumbs-down emoji. He later apologized for the post.

“He’s had some experiences that are learning experiences that he could learn from and be better from,” Minter said. “I don’t think anybody would dispute that. But when you talk to the people inside that building and what he’s about in the building and as a player and showing up early every day and working really hard and really helping elevate a program that was at a point where Clark had done a really good job building it up, but it kind of needed to elevate.

“I know he was a driving force behind that, just talking to all those people. So, again, he’s an undrafted rookie free agent. He’s got his foot in the door. And it’s like, ‘Do what you want to do with it now.’”

In Baltimore, Pavia will be fighting for a spot on the Ravens’ practice squad and perhaps even their 53-man roster. Quarterback Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley top the depth chart.

“He’s really a guy that plays with a chip on his shoulder,” rookie running back Adam Randall said. “I got to experience [playing with] him at the Senior Bowl. I really think me and him [are] just kind of building a rapport. The running back-quarterback exchange is really huge in football that a lot of people don’t talk about. So I think that he has a great energy and attitude, and he’s a competitor. So that’s really all you can ask for in a teammate, and I know he’s going to give it his all every time he steps on the field.”

Defensive reunion

Minter is “stoked” that Calais Campbell is returning to Baltimore on a one-year deal.

The veteran defensive lineman overlapped with Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver during their previous tenures in Baltimore, so they both know what he brings to a locker room.

Minter said he can’t wait to see the impact the 39-year-old Campbell will have on the Ravens’ younger players. But Campbell isn’t returning to Baltimore just to be a locker room presence. He’s still got ability, despite his advanced age at a tough position.

“You know, he had 6.5 sacks last year,” Minter said. “He’s still playing at such an unbelievable level. We all know what type of man and person and teammate and leader that he is.”

The versatile Campbell joins a pass rush that features free-agent signing Trey Hendrickson, Mike Green, Tavius Robinson, rookie Zion Young and third-year outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, who has been limited by injury. He has also previously been a mentor to Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike, who is working back from neck surgery this season.

Crimson Tide ties

When tight end Josh Cuevas shook Ozzie Newsome’s hand this week, he made sure to clasp Newsome’s Hall of Fame hand with both of his.

“You know how you’re usually supposed to go one hand, and, like, that’s more professional?” the fifth-round pick said. “I was like ... ‘Hold on to my hand longer, please.’”

At Alabama, Cuevas heard all about the legends who came before him. Although Newsome did not play tight end at Alabama, he went on to a legendary NFL career at the position before becoming a legendary general manager in Baltimore. Newsome made sure to drop a “Roll, Tide!” on the draft call to Cuevas, and he dropped another when they met in person.

Newsome, now the Ravens’ executive vice president, and team officials are counting on Cuevas to help replace Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar and Patrick Ricard, all of whom left in free agency. The Ravens also drafted tight end Matt Hibner in the fourth round.

Owner’s pick

Randall made Ravens draft history before ever putting on the uniform.

As the last of three fifth-round picks, he became the first player to be personally drafted by Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti.

The owner had convinced general manager Eric DeCosta this offseason to let him make a pick. Once DeCosta agreed, Bisciotti got to work. With assistance from DeCosta’s son, along with close friend Dabo Swinney, Clemson’s head coach, he scouted Randall and fell in love with his game.

Randall is a unique pick because he has relatively little experience at his position. He arrived at Clemson as a wide receiver and converted to running back late in his junior season.

“It was kind of a need for our position or our team going into the next year,” Randall said. “We only had redshirt freshman running backs and incoming freshmen. And Coach Swinney wanted a vet in the room and he saw my size, my speed and my pass-catching ability — also, just my knack for running after the catch while I had the ball.”

Randall is coming into a room that features star Derrick Henry, a veteran backup in Justice Hill and reserve Rasheen Ali. He said he’s ready to be a sponge and is willing to take on a special teams role.