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2026 NFL Draft: Jeremiyah Love, Ty Simpson among 16 prospects attending this year's event

Sixteen prospects have accepted invitations to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, which begins at 8 p.m. ET on April 23.

Ohio State will have the most attendees with five, followed by Alabama and Miami with two apiece.

Alabama's Ty Simpson accepted an invitation to the draft and could be the second quarterback off the board after Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who is widely expected to be picked first overall.

Four highly touted playmakers -- USC WR Makai Lemon, Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate and Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson -- are confirmed to attend.

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Defensive prospects make up nine of the 16 attendees, reflecting the strength of the draft on that side of the ball.

The pass-rush talent in this year's class is impressive, as is the collection of rushers attending the draft, led by Arvell Reese (Ohio State), David Bailey (Texas Tech), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) and Keldric Faulk (Auburn). The one true off-ball linebacker expected in Pittsburgh is Ohio State's Sonny Styles, an NFL Scouting Combine standout who should have a short wait to hear his name called on draft day.

The secondary also will be well-represented at the draft. Ohio State's Caleb Downs, widely viewed as the top safety, will be there, along with two top corners: LSU's Mansoor Delane and Tennessee's Colton Hood.

The offensive and interior defensive line will be represented by Miami's Francis Mauigoa, Ohio State's Kayden McDonald and Alabama's Kadyn Proctor.

The draft will begin with Round 1 on April 23, followed by Rounds 2-3 on April 24 (7 p.m. ET) and Rounds 4-7 on April 25 (12 p.m. ET).

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