Bye-bye boring business suits, hello bling and bold fashion statements.
Football and fashion are colliding more than ever, and top prospects from the NFL 2026 Draft class understood the red carpet assignment as 17 first-round players showed off their personal fashion “fits” at the 2026 NFL Red Carpet event held Thursday evening at Point State Park.
Designer suits, custom jewelry, grills, luxury shoes and diamond Rolex watches were on full display at the annual NFL red carpet event. It was held to show off and introduce draft prospects to the public and media before learning their draft fate.
Kadyn Proctor, an offensive tackle from University of Alabama, walked the carpet with his mother and sported a prominent “spirit animal” chain necklace.
“That’s big gorilla. My whole back has a gorilla face (tattoo), so it’s just representing the strength and power with something I can relate to.”
Proctor bragged up the ‘Burgh during his first visit to the City of Bridges.
“I love it. I feel like it’s a city rich in tradition, and it’s actually a bigger city than I thought,” said Proctor. He was delighted to learn that draft prospects like him would ride across the river to attend the ceremonies on the North Shore.
Dressed in a purple suit with boutonniere, Proctor said he focused most of his red carpet look on “Big Gorilla.”
“I spent more time on the chain and the grills and the watch than the suit,” Proctor said.
It’s evolved into a fun fashion NFL, with players expressing themselves through black-tie fits — a departure from their usual football uniforms.
Ohio State Buckeyes were well represented on the carpet. Kayden McDonald, a defensive tackle, flashed the interior of his maroon suit emblazoned with two words: Uncommon Favor.
The 250-foot-long red carpet rolled out along the Allegheny River had a soaring fountain as a dramatic natural backdrop under vibrant sunshine and warm temps.
Prospect Makai Lemon of USC wore a traditional handcrafted Ula Fala Hawaiian necklace, paying homage to his father, a Hawaiian chief. He sported a custom Hawaiian image honoring his Hawaiian culture.
“This necklace is worn by high chiefs, and my dad is one,” said Lemon of the traditional necklace typically made from dried fruit pods.
Rueben Bain Jr., a defensive end for University of Miami, wore a large photo pendant necklace in honor of a special relative.
“This is my grandmother and a smaller picture of a young me. She passed away when I was in the fifth grade, but I always keep it by my heart and my chest so that she is always watching over me,” Bain said while holding the necklace and working the red carpet.
Fans that had purchased a red carpet experience had the opportunity to chat with players and take pics on the other side of the carpet.
It was the first visit to Pittsburgh for Jordyn Tyson, a wide receiver for Arizona State. He declared that he “loved it.”
“I’m excited to see where I’m going,” said Tyson, dressed smartly top-to-bottom in Louis Vuitton.
Tyson borrowed the shoes worn by his basketball-playing brother, Jaylon, for the NBA draft in 2024, when he was picked by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“That’s my connection there,” he said.
Carnell Tate, a wide receiver for Ohio State, sported a gold chain emblazoned with “Chill” with a cream suit.
Ty Simpson, of Alabama, was the only quarterback present strolling the red carpet, as Fernando Mendoza from Indiana was not in attendance (staying home with his mother and family).
Dressed in a sleek mauve suit and double chain, Mansoon Delane of LSU said he was feeling good and “blessed to be here.”
Colton Hood of Tennessee wowed in cobalt blue suit, diamond earrings and joked around with media, saying he’s afraid of almost all animals.
“Except dogs, I don’t do cats either,” Hood said.
Here’s a complete list of prospects attending the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh:
David Bailey, Texas Tech
Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
Mansoor Delane, LSU
Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Colton Hood, Tennessee
Makai Lemon, USC
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Kaydyn Proctor, Alabama
Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Ty Simpson, Alabama
Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State