Alabama's Smith headlines players attending NFL draft

Updated Apr. 7, 2021 4:35 p.m. ET

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Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama is scheduled to appear in person in Cleveland at the NFL draft later this month.

Smith, the wide receiver projected to be a high first-round pick, is among a group of players who have accepted their invitations to attend the draft.

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The draft will be held April 29 to May 1.

Last year’s draft was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic as Commissioner Roger Goodell hosted the 2020 event from his New York-area home, but he will be in attendance this time in Ohio.

Smith won't be the only member of the national champions in attendance. Quarterback Mac Jones, defensive lineman Christian Barmore and cornerback Patrick Surtain II will be there as well.

Also attending the festivities will be wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who won the national title with LSU in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season; North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance; Florida tight end Kyle Pitts; Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau; Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons; and Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley.

Jones, Smith, Pitts and Surtain were all members of the AP All-America first team in 2020, while Barmore was on the third team. And Chase, Rousseau and Parsons were first-teamers in 2019.

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More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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