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Deion Sanders' fiery message might be spark Diego Pavia needs for Ravens impact

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Ravens have seen a ton of roster changes over the last few days. They made some big-time selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, making 11 picks through the three-day-long event. They followed that up with some intriguing undrafted free agent signings and minicamp invites.

The most unexpected of those moves is undoubtedly the decision to bring Diego Pavia in for next weekend’s minicamp. Don’t get me wrong, Pavia was extremely productive in college, but he’s definitely been a polarizing prospect. It’s obvious that there will be a ton of eyes on him.

After going undrafted, Pavia already has a chip on his shoulder and will supply his endless competitive fire in Charm City. However, it doesn’t hurt when an NFL Hall of Famer giving you motivation. That’s exactly what Deion Sanders did after watching Pavia go undrafted. He’s got the 24-year-old's back.

Baltimore Ravens may get unheard of levels of competitive fire from Diego Pavia in minicamp

Pavia was already one of the most competitive players in college football over the last two years. He brought limitless energy under center, getting his teammates hyped up, and putting his body on the line when the moment called for it. That was all a clear catalyst in Vanderbilt’s success during his tenure. Now, with Sanders’ comments, that could reach a whole new level in his arrival in Baltimore.

Pavia’s got an even bigger reason to give it 100% as he heads into his first taste of professional football action. As college prospects transition to the NFL, it’s an equal playing field for all rookies. Sure, some have the pedigree of being top picks, but others are out to prove something as late-round selections or undrafted free agents. Their backs are against the wall, and they have nothing to lose. That's the mentality Pavia will bring to the Ravens.

Knowing how much of a competitor Pavia already is, he might push that to another tier this coming week. That should get Baltimore fired up. They need those types of guys. He showcases what it means to play like a Raven, and we could see that on full display in the purple and black.

However, in all honesty, there’s a massive mountain that Pavia will have to scale. He’s obviously undersized for a quarterback at 5-foot-10, and there's pretty much no security for him with his minicamp invite. Maybe that’s a good thing, though. The best rookies are those who lay it all on the line, no questions asked. That’s what we should expect Pavia to do, and with Deion Sanders in his corner, there’s a whole new reason to prove the doubters wrong.

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