Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia became the first Heisman finalist in 12 years to go undrafted. After passing and rushing for a combined 4,401 yards and 40 touchdowns, the quarterback was not picked by any NFL team.
It’s rare for a Heisman finalist to go undrafted, but it is not unprecedented. Let’s take a look at five players who suffered the same fate as Pavia.
5 Undrafted Heisman Finalists
1. Diego Pavia
Pavia, of course, makes this list, becoming the latest Heisman finalist to not get picked by any team. After finishing behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in Heisman voting, Pavia was expected to be drafted, but concerns about his size and behavior may have prompted teams to look past the Commodores quarterback.
2. Jordan Lynch
In 2013, Jordan Lynch was named a Heisman finalist and finished third in the voting. He passed for 2,892 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also carried the ball 292 times for 1,920 yards (most by a QB in a season) and 23 touchdowns.
Lynch went undrafted in 2014 but was later signed by the Chicago Bears as a running back. He was released that August.
3. Jason White
White was a unanimous All-American in 2003 and won the Heisman. He was also a finalist in the 2004 season, finishing his career with Oklahoma as the all-time leader in career passing yards (8,012) and touchdown passes (81).
Despite a notable college career, White went undrafted in 2005, primarily because of his history of knee injuries. The Kansas City Chiefs invited him to try out but opted not to sign him. Ultimately, he signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, but retired before the season.
4. Charlie Ward
In 1993, Ward secured multiple college awards, including the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Davey O’Brien Award. Ward was also a college basketball player with the Florida State Seminoles.
Ahead of the 1994 draft, Ward said he won’t play in the NFL if he doesn’t get drafted in the first round. He wasn’t, and he shifted his focus to the NBA draft, where he was picked 26th by the New York Knicks.
5. Pete Dawkins
Dawkins won the 1958 Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award, and was a consensus All-America selection in 1958. He was not drafted because he opted for a career in the military.
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