The NFL has officially invited 16 college prospects to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh from April 23 to 25. The group includes nine defenders and seven offensive players, as announced in a league press release. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, projected as the No. 1 pick, will not attend.
The NFL released the list of invitees on April 9, highlighting top talents such as Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey, Tennessee CB Colton Hood, Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese, Miami (FL) EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., USC WR Makai Lemon, Alabama QB Ty Simpson, LSU CB Mansoor Delane, Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, Miami (FL) OT Francis Mauigoa, Ohio State S Caleb Downs, LSU EDGE Keldrick Faulk, Ohio State NT Kayden McDonald, Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson, and Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor. An NFL tweet confirmed the prospects attending the event, which will air on NFLN, ESPN, ABC, and stream on NFL+ (@NFL, April 9, 2026). Ohio State leads with five invitees, including Reese, Styles, Tate, Downs, and McDonald. Pittsburgh will host the draft for the second time, the first in the modern era where prospects walk onstage to meet commissioner Roger Goodell. The Steelers have visited with one invitee, USC WR Makai Lemon, and showed interest in Tennessee CB Colton Hood at Tennessee’s Pro Day. Mendoza's absence stems from his mother’s multiple sclerosis and related health issues that complicate travel, per reports. The league invited other top prospects who declined.
