Is WWE in Diego Pavia's future? Football players find second act in ring

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What’s in Diego Pavia‘s future? It may not be football.

The polarizing former Vanderbilt quarterback wasn’t selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming the first Heisman Trophy finalist not to be selected since Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2014. But what’s more surprising is he wasn’t picked up as an undrafted free agent, instead only reportedly accepting an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

While you can’t entirely rule out a professional football career for Pavia, the odds are stacked against him. It could cause a career pivot if it doesn’t work out. Luckily, there is a place where he could thrive, and there’s proof it could work: wrestling.

Why Diego Pavia can succeed in WWE, wrestling

It’s no secret Pavia was one of college football’s biggest heels last season, cutting off promos Vanderbilt’s athletic director had to apologize for. Generating that type of heat is exactly what’s needed to get crowds to react, one of the most important aspects of the business. If you can get the fans to boo you, then you’re making magic happen, and Pavia has done plenty of it. Mix in his wrestling background, which includes a New Mexico state title in high school, and he has a great starting point for becoming a wrestler.

He’s already had some interactions with WWE stars, including with Grayson Waller in December.

Former football players in WWE

A look at the history of WWE and you’ll realize there are plenty of former football players that made successful transitions into the ring, proving the same could be done for Pavia. That’s a long list including names such as:

  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Miami)
  • Stone Cold Steve Austin (North Texas)
  • John Cena (Springfield College – Mass.)
  • Roman Reigns (Georgia Tech)
  • Bill Goldberg (Georgia)
  • Trick Williams (Hampton and South Carolina)
  • Bron Breakker (Kennesaw State)
  • Big E (Iowa)
  • John Bradshaw Layfield (Abilene Christian)
  • Lex Luger (Miami)
  • “Superstar” Billy Graham
  • Dusty Rhodes (West Texas A&M)
  • Bray Wyatt (Troy)

Former athletes to WWE

Recently, there’s been an emphasis from WWE to pursue former college athletes and train them for the ring. So far, it has worked, with some football players like Williams and Breakker.

But you don’t need to have been on a football field to succeed, with some notable names now leading the next generation of the company, including:

  • Oba Femi (track and field)
  • Sol Ruca (acrobatics and tumbling)
  • Bianca Belair (track and field)
  • Tiffany Stratton (gymnastics)
  • Raquel Rodriguez (basketball)
  • Lash Legend (basketball)
  • Jaida Parker (soccer)
  • Kelani Jordan (gymnastics)

There’s plenty of evidence that it can work for Pavia, but it will ultimately depend on if he wants to do move on from football, and if he can put it all together for a successful wrestling career.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diego Pavia in WWE? Why wrestling could be in undrafted QB’s future

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