As round after round passed and it became clear Diego Pavia was not going to be selected, encouragement came from an unexpected place.
Coach Prime knew the feeling. A year earlier, he sat through the 2025 draft watching his son, Shedeur Sanders, slide much further than expected. It was a moment that tested patience and perspective.
So when Pavia found himself in a similar position, Sanders stepped in.
“I BELIEVE IN YOU MY MAN! Stay strong and don’t let up. Show them what time it is and never allow them to forget.”
It was not just support. It was experience speaking.
Pavia has since accepted a minicamp invite with the Baltimore Ravens, giving him a chance to prove himself at the next level.
The former Vanderbilt QB is not alone Colorado was entirely shut out of the draft as well.
Although, a good number of CU players have already earned opportunities to compete for jobs in the league, landing minicamp invites and undrafted free agent deals that offer a path forward. It is not the spotlight of draft night, but it is often where careers are built.
Under Deion Sanders, the message has been consistent. It is not about how you enter the league. It is about what you do once you get there.
For this group, the opportunity is real. Now it becomes about sticking.
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