Being a Heisman Trophy runner-up does not secure an NFL career. Diego Pavia, a former star quarterback at Vanderbilt University, is experiencing that reality. On Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens released Pavia, ending his brief tenure with the team before full-squad training camp began.

While this move frees up Pavia to explore other opportunities, potentially with another NFL team during training camps or possibly in the CFL, it’s also a setback. The Ravens, who showed the most interest by inviting him for a workout and keeping him throughout the offseason, ultimately deemed him not good enough.

The Ravens waived Pavia to make room for veteran center Ethan Pocic on the 90-man roster.

The decision reflects Baltimore’s roster strategy. They evaluated their quarterback lineup and decided against having three players competing for the No. 3 quarterback position. This left Pavia behind veteran Skylar Thompson and rookie Joe Fagnano as they streamlined their roster. Lamar Jackson, the starting quarterback, and Tyler Huntley, the anticipated backup, are expected to remain.

Although Pavia’s history as a dynamic Vanderbilt player and Heisman Trophy runner-up was noteworthy, it did not translate into a secure spot with the Ravens. The team’s familiarity with Pavia, through new coach Jesse Minter and Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea, did not influence the decision in his favor.

As Pavia navigates these challenges, his future in football remains uncertain. The roster trimming underscores the competitive nature of securing a place in the NFL.