Report: Lawrence declines invitation to attend draft

Star quarterback prospect Trevor Lawrence is declining his invitation to attend the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland on April 29, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Lawrence, the presumptive No. 1 pick, will instead watch the draft with family and friends in Clemson, S.C., Schefter adds.

While it's typical to see the first overall selection take the stage and sport his new team's gear alongside NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, other recent top picks Jameis Winston (2015), Myles Garrett (2017), and Baker Mayfield (2018) didn't attend the event.

A year after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the first-ever virtual draft, the league is planning a "large, live, in-person" event for 2021, similar to the draft's standard form.

Lawrence finished second in Heisman Trophy voting during his sophomore campaign. In 2020, he completed 69.2% of his pass attempts for 3,153 yards, 24 touchdowns, and five interceptions.