The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)

Heisman winner to attend NFL Draft

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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, which will be held April 29 to May 1.

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.

WATSON LOSES ENDORSEMEN­T »

Nike has suspended its endorsemen­t contract with Deshaun Watson amid allegation­s of sexual assault and harassment against the Texans quarterbac­k. “We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegation­s and have suspended Deshaun Watson,” Nike said.

BENGALS CUT RB » The Bengals continued to part with veterans when they released running back Giovani Bernard. Bernard, a fan favorite who had a year left on a two-year contract that would have paid him $4.1 million in 2021, played his entire eight-year NFL career in Cincinnati.

College basketball NBA DRAFT ENTRIES »

Tennessee freshman guard Keon Johnson says he’s declaring for the NBA draft and will sign with an agent, becoming the Vols’ second freshman to leave after one season . ... Syracuse forward Marek Dolezaj is not returning to the Orange for a final season and will seek to play profession­ally.

Olympics CHINA TO U.S.: DON’T BOYCOTT »

China’s government warned Washington not to boycott next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing after the Biden administra­tion said it was talking with allies about a joint approach to complaints of human rights abuses. A Foreign Ministry spokespers­on rejected accusation­s of abuses against ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region. He warned of an unspecifie­d “robust Chinese response” to a potential Olympics boycott.

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