Explosive Notre Dame running back drafted No. 3 overall by Arizona in 2026, the highest back taken since Saquon Barkley.
Jeremiyah Love put together one of the most productive two-year stretches in recent college football before the Cardinals took him third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. His selection made him the first running back picked inside the top five since Saquon Barkley in 2018. He gives Arizona a featured back to pair with veteran additions in the backfield.
Path to the league
Love starred at Notre Dame, combining for an FBS-best 40 rushing touchdowns over his final two seasons while averaging 6.9 yards per carry each year. He ran for 1,125 yards and 17 scores in 2024 and 1,372 yards with 18 rushing touchdowns across 12 games in 2025.
Draft and outlook
The Cardinals selected Love No. 3 overall in April 2026, the highest they have drafted a running back since Garrison Hearst went third in 1993 and their first first-round back since Beanie Wells in 2009. He joins a room that added Tyler Allgeier in free agency, with James Conner and Trey Benson returning from injury.
Sources
- NFL.com: Cardinals select Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love No. 3 overall
- ESPN: Jeremiyah Love player page
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Notre Dame
- Hometown
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Age
- 21
- Status
- active
