Vanderbilt Pro Day Recap: Pavia’s Arm Impresses, Jones Tops Verticals as 31 NFL Teams Watch
Vanderbilt Pro Day: A Success
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Friday, Vanderbilt held its pro day, and NFL scouts and representatives from 31 of 32 teams came to Nashville to watch draft-eligible Commodores work out.
Pro Day at Vanderbilt even drew Theo Von and Tennessee Titans Quarterback Cam Ward. Was Ward scouting potential new teammates to keep right here in Nashville, or did he just come to hang? I didn’t get the chance to ask him, but you have to think Vanderbilt has some guys who could help him and the Titans. On the offensive side of the ball, Tennessee is in need of an interior offensive lineman or two and a wide receiver.
While a ton of eyes were on what Diego Pavia would do, the Dores had some really good showings at pro day. Cornerback Marlon Jones Jr. had the best vertical of the day, coming in at 39 inches. While Safety Marlen Sewell ran the best 40 at 4.48, and was tied with Jones for the best broad jump at 10’6″.
Eli Stowers did not test in any of the combine drills during pro day. The only action I saw from him was getting in a ton of reps as a receiver during Diego Pavia’s throwing segment. Stowers was clean on his routes and sure-handed, as he’s always been.
Media members in attendance had the chance to ask questions and hear from Offensive Lineman Jordan White, Defensive Lineman Khordae Sydnor, Linebacker Langston Patterson, who also worked out as a long snapper, and Tight End Eli Stowers.
All felt great about their process throughout the whole experience. Those interviews are listed below, along with the official numbers released by the NFL and provided by Vanderbilt Athletics on Saturday.
I will say Diego Pavia’s 40 time came in a tick slower than I thought it was at 4.76. His throwing segment, though, was on point. Pavia put the ball right where it needed to be consistently. There were a couple of drops on deep balls that weren’t on him, and just a couple of overthrows. That can all be judged however an individual sees fit, but I saw a ton of clean throws that were right where they should have been.
Due to Pavia’s busy schedule with private meetings, we did not get a chance to talk with him, but we all know Diego is rightfully confident and believes in himself at the next level. The size argument to me is null and void. Over the years we have seen quarterbacks who are not the prototypical tall guy find success in the league. If you can play, you can play.
Stowers totally agreed with those thoughts when asked about his former quarterback.
“I think it is really simple. All the height stuff, all the size stuff, at the end of the day, can the kid play football? Diego was the best player in college football last year. He led the entire country in total yards.
“He won 10 games and got us to the point where we had two winning seasons back to back after going 2-10 the year before. He is the reason we had the mentality that we could go out and win every single game.
“He is the best leader I have ever been around, the hardest worker I have ever been around. He always cares about everyone around him, his team, around the facility. You just watch him on film. The kid is an amazing football player and he will win you games at any level.”
After Saturday’s Vanderbilt spring practice, I asked Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck about his thoughts on Pro Day, and he was extremely pleased and happy for everyone that had that opportunity to showcase their talents in from of 31 NFL teams.
Round one of the NFL Draft will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The three-day event will conclude on April 25. This year, time between picks in the first round will be reduced to eight minutes, down from the 10 minutes that has been the standard since 2008.
Vanderbilt Pro Day: Results and Measurements
Vanderbilt Pro Day: Interviews
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