Notre Dame standout running back Jeremiyah Love was selected with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals Thursday night. Flanked by his family and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman in the Steel City of Pittsburgh, Penn., Love became just the third running back selected in the top-3 over the past 20 years.
Love was a workhorse for the Irish offense in 2025, leading the team with 1,372 rushing yards on 199 carries and broke the program’s record for total touchdowns in a single season with 21 scores. A native of St. Louis, Love also collected several accolades this season, earning Unanimous All-American honors, as well as being named one of four Heisman Trophy finalists.
Love became the first running back picked in the top-3 since 2018, when Saquon Barkley was chosen second overall by the New York Giants. The selection is also the highest pick a Notre Dame running back has earned throughout the 90-year history of the NFL Draft. Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 10th pick in 1993 after a standout three-year career in South Bend. 1956 Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung went first in the 1957 Draft before enjoying an impressive career in Green Bay as a running back, but Hornung played quarterback for the Irish, allowing Love to claim the distinction.
Love’s production for the Fighting Irish began well before his storied junior campaign. The 4-star recruit racked up 504 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns as a freshman while backing up current New Orleans Saint, Audric Estime. Moving into the starting role as a sophomore, Love scored 19 touchdowns and eclipsed 1,100 rushing yards. He broke the program record by scoring in the first 13 games of the season, including a 98-yard rampage against Indiana to mark the first touchdown of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Love also added 46 yards and a critical touchdown in the thrilling semifinal victory over Penn State at the Orange Bowl.
During the NFL Combine, Love recorded a 4.36 second forty-yard dash, with his athleticism jumping off the page to complement his on-field abilities.
Arizona went 3-14 last season and finished 4th in the NFC West. Although Love fills the void at running back vacated by James Conner, the Cardinals will also have a new head coach and starting quarterback in 2026 as the franchise embarks on a rebuild.
