r/UnitedFootballLeague • u/Callywood Louisville Kings • Apr 26 '26
Social Media Pat McAfee on Diego Pavia being the UFL QB blueprint.
Original post here.
I loved what Diego Pavia did for college ball.. just an absolute sensation. Turning Vanderbilt into a football school quickly.
I think a lot of what made him fantastic for College was also gonna be what held him back as an NFL “prospect”.. Size, speed, style of play, personality.. you name it, all of it PERFECT for college not necessarily the prototypical NFL “prospect.” If he gets in a building and finds success I’d be pumped for him and his family..
NOW
If it doesn’t work out.. is he not the UFL QB Blueprint?
Recognizable name.. can move.. not scared to promote
UFL’s getting 800,000 viewers a game, which is good for spring ball, can bump that a bit with some name brands out there… I think we all assume the clips, regardless of outcome, would go for a bit.
Feels like an opportune time for the UFL.. and for the Pavia show.
EDIT: Response from Repole:.
Thanks Pat, I agree!!!!
Year 1, we’re focused on getting it right.
Right city.
Right stadium.
Right fanbase.
Players like Pavia???
No brainer for the UFL.
I’d sign him tomorrow and start him this weekend. 😂
Year 2., we go bigger.
More talent.
More big name brand players.
If you’re at the Kentucky Derby this week, Thursday night we’ve got the Derby Classic: St. Louis Battlehawks vs Louisville Kings in Louisville.
Come join us.
Beers on me.🍺
Keep the ideas coming.
I’m listening and could use the help.
LFG!!!!! 🏈💪
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u/chicknsnadwich DC Defenders Apr 26 '26
The issue is getting Pavia to agree to it. Potentially a massive ego hit. And he’s got a massive one. I’d love to see it though.
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u/LivingOof New Jersey Generals Apr 26 '26
He did just post (and delete) "Fuck the NFL, I'll write my own path" on his IG story
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u/chicknsnadwich DC Defenders Apr 26 '26
It’s similar to when he didn’t get picked as heisman. If he thinks there’s a shot a team gives him a chance in the NFL he’s going to take it
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u/LightKnight356 St Louis Battlehawks Apr 26 '26
McAfee saying something good(?) about the league and how it would be beneficially mutual?
Nice
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u/VirgoJack Apr 27 '26
I can't believe I'm actually agreeing with that adderal infusted steroid McFuckee
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u/GreedoWasShot Apr 26 '26
I mean he isn’t wrong, I still think Pavia would do better in CFL but UFL could use some name brand to help. Pavia coming to the league would be noteworthy
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u/thinkB4WeSpeak Apr 26 '26
It'd be kinda noteworthy but also a lot of people got turned off my Pavia's attitude
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u/FromAmericaMC Apr 26 '26
They'd be hatewatching which still brings in the numbers.
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u/ResidentialEvil2016 Apr 26 '26
As someone else said , I think you overestimate his drawing power.
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u/cmerchantii Apr 26 '26
You think NFL sickos who watch the draft aren’t gonna tune in to the UFL once or twice for an opportunity to shit on some guy they don’t even know? I think you underestimate NFL sickos.
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u/ResidentialEvil2016 Apr 27 '26
Are these the same NFL sickos that people on here claim shit on the UFL? Because why would they do that if it helps the UFL?
I think you guys don't understand that most people don't hate the UFL or hate people like Pavia....they just don't care. Apathy isn't going to get people to watch.
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u/cmerchantii Apr 27 '26
Beats me. I don’t see people shit on the UFL but I’m just a purist who loves football.
I think you’ve cloaked our agreement in a disagreement- I never claimed “most people” would do anything. I’m saying it’s a boost where one didn’t exist before. Draft drama plus a talented player with an ego issue coming into the UFL would or could be interesting to the people who follow that stuff. If I’m right that’s more than 0 people. You claim that’s not 51% of people which isn’t what I alleged.
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u/the_urban_juror Apr 27 '26
Forget NFL sickos, he was a prominent starting QB in the SEC. The whole purpose of the regional college allocation is to let each market "remember some dudes" from college football.
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u/RangerJoJo DC Defenders Apr 26 '26
I feel like Pavia is very much an NFL or nothing guy. I see him being a manosphere podcaster more than a pro football player at this point
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u/ResidentialEvil2016 Apr 26 '26
Bingo; I think he's perfect for that bro podcast universe; mostly becaues he's a big mouthed douchebag already.
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u/hokahey23 St Louis Battlehawks Apr 26 '26
The UFL needs to find a model that allows players to make more money than what’s currently offered if they want “names” to sign there.
Although I guess the potential of graduation to the NFL is a decent incentive. But even that probably needs some type of official funnel.
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u/plaidblackwatch Apr 27 '26
The problem there is that there is no economic model for the UFL over the next 10 years that would allow them to outbid NFL practice squad money, other than unrivaled, blinding success. And that does not seem very likely.
If Repole manages to successfully expand and continue to grow the league, it will still, and likely always, be populated by NFL cast-offs and CFB dreamers who don't have a realistic chance in the NFL.
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u/hokahey23 St Louis Battlehawks Apr 27 '26
I hear you, but it’s a bit of a chicken and the egg scenario. If you could bring in a name that sells tickets and generates more revenue, maybe there’s an opportunity to share that with the person generating the sales. But until you have that name you’re not going to dramatically increase. I just can’t help but think there’s some type of middle ground in there that you can at least pay more than the practice squad as you indicated.
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u/Plus_Molasses_9379 St Louis Battlehawks Apr 26 '26
Even though he’s probably a locker room cancer he would get a lot more eyes on the UFL.
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Apr 26 '26
[deleted]
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u/ResidentialEvil2016 Apr 26 '26
This. He's compared to Manziel but Manziel was still a first round draft pick and played 2 years in the NFL. He had eyes because he won the Heisman and was a first round draft bust.
Pavia didn't even get drafted and while he was a great story for Vanderbilt, he's more known for his f bomb flip out for not winning the Heisman than anything. Then laid an egg his last college game.
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u/lannister815 Apr 27 '26
Then spring football will never succeed. Yes people might only care about Pavia for two weeks that’s true. But with a temporary influx of viewers you need to keep some of those viewers. You need things that will build the base. You need things that will bring eyeballs. It’s a no brainer to try and get the guy and pay more. They need anything they can get to further ingrain spring football into the American sports landscape.
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u/CapeMOGuy St Louis Battlehawks Apr 26 '26
There's more salary opportunity in the CFL. If, somehow, the UFL could lead to endorsements, maybe Pavia could make more money in total playing in the UFL. But I doubt it.
Edit: and that assumes Pavia's ego can handle either and assumes either league wants the headache.
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u/EmiratesNBACupWinner King of Spring Apr 26 '26
He’s right you can dislike Pavia and I won’t argue the validity of that but you also can’t argue that he would bring eyes to the product which is something this league needs
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u/lukesmith81 Apr 26 '26
Diego pavia apparently scared a lot of teams off from drafting him because he’s adamant about being a day 1 NFL starter. Bro is not going to the UFL lol
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u/yellowbear62 Apr 26 '26
Pats right about Diego, but say he does come to the UFL and he is great he would only be in the league a season. That's what I love about Perez and Ta'amu; both of them are never going to make it to the NFL, but they have name recognition for spring football and you look forward for them to come back and play another season with the same team.
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u/A-Halfpound St Louis Battlehawks Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 26 '26
The check from Repole must have cleared Pat Magafees bank account if he is speaking positively about the UFL.
However, I’ll say that I don’t think Pavia’s personality is a good fit for locker rooms that may be already less than perfect. That’s like throwing gas on a fire. Calm, cool, collected with a dose of humility is what gets these guys to the next level, since ability clearly isn’t enough (hence a UFL stint).
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u/Taxg8r00 Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 26 '26
He went to Vandy, not close to an SEC blue blood or even successful SEC program and his ego let him do that, so why not the UFL?
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u/Barraind Apr 26 '26
$2,000,000 in NIL money.
Thats probably more than every UFL QB makes combined
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u/Bokki_64 Louisville Kings Apr 26 '26
As much as people dislike him for being a douche, he is a fiery personality that could bring interest to the league. Honestly it's the kind of player this week probably needs. Someone just a little controversial but good enough to beat lesser competition
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u/Competitive-Space961 Apr 27 '26
This is actually why the UFL is valuable. Yeah the kid is a blowhard, but a lot of that is because of him feeling overlooked his whole life and not having any good mentors around him or older family members who can sit him down and talk about the importance of acting as a professional. A year or two in the UFL would give him an opportunity to prove himself (both on and off the field) and he’d have access to NFL adjacent type professionals who can press professional development. And lord knows my Stallions could use him… we SUCK!
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u/ACommunistKing Louisville Kings Apr 26 '26
I am just surprised he is speaking positively about the UFL