The NFL announced Thursday that 16 prospects will attend the 2026 NFL Draft, which is set to take place in Pittsburgh later this month.
The group was revealed during NFL Network’s “Path to the Draft,” featuring a mix of top talent across multiple conferences. Ohio State leads all programs with five players confirmed to attend, while Alabama and Miami (Fla.) each have two representatives.
Among the headline names expected on-site are Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and USC wide receiver Makai Lemon are also scheduled to be in attendance for the opening night of the draft.
The Big Ten leads all conferences with six prospects attending, followed by the Southeastern Conference with five. The Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12 will each have two players represented, while one prospect from an independent program will also be present.
The full list of attendees includes Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey, LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane, Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk, Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, and Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
The 2026 NFL Draft marks the 91st annual player selection meeting and will be held in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1948. It also marks the first time the draft has been hosted in Pennsylvania since 2017.
The draft will begin with the first round on Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET. Rounds two and three will take place Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m., with rounds four through seven concluding the event on Saturday, April 25 beginning at noon.
There will be 257 total selections, including 33 compensatory picks awarded to 15 teams.
Teams will have eight minutes per selection in the first round, seven minutes in the second round, five minutes for rounds three through six, and four minutes in the seventh round.
The draft will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes, with radio coverage available on Westwood One, SiriusXM NFL Radio, and ESPN Radio.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior NFL Insider at SportsJourney.com, where he covers the Washington Commanders and the league at large. A Northern Virginia native and George Mason University graduate, his work has appeared in FanSided, NBC Sports Washington, Heavy.com, and The Fourth Estate. He is also the host of the “After Further Review” podcast, reaching a global audience with his analysis and storytelling.
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