Ty Simpson and 5 Ohio State Buckeyes Attend 2026 NFL Draft Green Room
The NFL announced on Thursday that 16 prospects will attend the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in person, with the ceremony set for Thursday night, April 23, in Pittsburgh.
Among the attendees are five Ohio State Buckeyes, the most from any single program, and a lone quarterback, Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
Ohio State leads the group of colleges sending multiple players, while Miami and Alabama each contribute two prospects to the green‑room roster.
The Heisman Trophy winner is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, a selection expected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders under newly hired head coach Klint Kubiak.
Ty Simpson, despite being the only quarterback present, is not considered a lock for the first round; Veezstream ranked him as the No. 42 prospect in his “The Beast” draft guide.
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon joins the five Buckeyes, bringing the total of expected Big Ten attendees to six, the most of any conference.
The SEC follows closely, sending five players, while the Pac‑12 and other conferences each have fewer representatives in the in‑person draft.
The full list of 16 invited prospects includes defensive standouts, offensive skill players, and the sole quarterback, as shown in the table below.
| Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
| David Bailey | LB | Texas Tech |
| Rueben Bain Jr. | DE | Miami (Fla.) |
| Mansoor Delane | DB | LSU |
| Caleb Downs | DB | Ohio State |
| Keldric Faulk | DE | Auburn |
| Colton Hood | DB | Tennessee |
| Makai Lemon | WR | USC |
| Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame |
| Francis Mauigoa | OL | Miami (Fla.) |
| Kayden McDonald | DT | Ohio State |
| Kadyn Proctor | T | Alabama |
| Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State |
| Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama |
| Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State |
| Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State |
| Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was notably omitted from the attendee list, confirming earlier reports that he will not travel to Pittsburgh for the draft.
The absence of a top‑rated quarterback in the green room mirrors a trend of declining attendance among high‑profile prospects in recent years.
Only 13 players attended the 2024 draft in Detroit, a year that featured Caleb Williams being selected No. 1 by the Chicago Bears.
Historically, the average number of green‑room participants during the first ten years of the three‑day format (2010‑2019) was 24 per year.
Since the pandemic‑forced virtual draft in 2020, average attendance has fallen to 16 players per year, with a low of 12 in Cleveland in 2021.
Ty Simpson’s presence as the sole quarterback underscores Alabama’s confidence in his readiness for the professional level, despite his mid‑range draft projection.
Simpson posted a senior season with a 68.5 % completion rate, 3,412 passing yards, and 28 touchdowns, statistics that contributed to his All‑SEC honors.
His dual‑threat ability, highlighted by 6.2 yards per carry on designed runs, adds a layer of versatility that NFL scouts have noted.
Ohio State’s five attendees—Caleb Downs, Kayden McDonald, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and Carnell Tate—represent a mix of defensive and offensive talent.
Downs, a defensive back, logged 12 passes defended and three interceptions in his final season, showcasing ball‑hawking instincts.
McDonald, a defensive tackle, posted 45 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, ranking among the top interior defenders in the Big Ten.
Reese and Styles, both linebackers, combined for 18 sacks and 120 tackles, reinforcing Ohio State’s reputation for producing NFL‑ready linebackers.
Tate, a wide receiver, recorded 78 receptions for 1,102 yards and 11 touchdowns, placing him among the conference’s elite pass‑catchers.
USC’s Makai Lemon, the lone Pac‑12 representative, entered the draft after a junior year with 66 catches, 1,018 yards, and nine scores.
Lemon’s route‑running precision and ability to generate separation have drawn comparisons to former Buckeye receiver Chris Olave.
Miami’s two prospects, Rueben Bain Jr. and Francis Mauigoa, add depth to the defensive line and offensive line categories respectively.
Bain Jr. tallied 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, ranking him among the ACC’s top edge rushers.
Mauigoa, an offensive tackle, allowed only one sack in 1,012 snaps, demonstrating elite pass‑protection skills.
Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, a defensive end, contributed 11.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, solidifying his status as a mid‑round defensive prospect.
Tennessee’s Colton Hood, a defensive back, posted 4 interceptions and 12 pass breakups, highlighting his ball skills in the secondary.
Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, a wide receiver, finished his collegiate career with 55 catches for 842 yards and six touchdowns.
His route depth and reliable hands have attracted interest from teams seeking a slot‑receiver with play‑action upside.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love added a balanced skill set with 1,040 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 310 receiving yards.
His ability to catch out of the backfield provides a dual‑threat dimension valued in modern NFL offenses.
LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane recorded 3 interceptions and 9 pass breakups, contributing to the Tigers’ secondary resurgence.
Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey amassed 98 tackles and 5 sacks, showcasing leadership on a defense that struggled against the run.
Despite the strong roster of attendees, several top‑ranked prospects will not be present, most notably Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano.
Fano, a two‑time All‑American, was ranked No. 8 overall by Dane Brugler, making his absence a notable storyline for draft analysts.
The NFL’s invitation system continues to face challenges, with travel logistics, personal preferences, and pandemic‑era habits influencing attendance decisions.
Historically, the No. 1 overall pick has almost always attended the draft; the last time a top pick was absent was Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence in 2021.
Lawrence watched the ceremony from South Carolina, a precedent that may influence future first‑overall selections.
Travon Walker’s decision in 2022 to watch from Atlanta rather than Las Vegas marked the first time since 2021 that the top pick was not on the stage.
These precedents highlight a shifting culture around draft day appearances, with some prospects opting for private celebrations.
The 2026 draft schedule will feature the first round on Thursday, April 23, followed by rounds two and three on Friday, April 24.
The event will conclude on Saturday, April 25, with rounds four through seven, completing the seven‑round selection process.
Commissioner Roger Goodell will preside over the ceremony, offering the traditional hand‑shake and stage walk for each selected player.
For the 16 invited prospects, the opportunity to be introduced on a national stage remains a career milestone despite the evolving attendance trends.
