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
Statistics
2025 season and career▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | cardinals | 6 | 76 | 268 | 3.5 | 1 | 18 |
▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | cardinals | 6 | 11 | 36 | 3.3 | 1 | 9 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Notre Dame
- Hometown
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Age
- 21
- Status
- active
Latest news about Jeremiyah Love
All news →Cardinals Receiver Jalen Brooks Out for the Season After Playing Through a Wrist Injury
Brooks hurt the wrist in the first quarter, told no one and kept playing; it needed emergency surgery. He had taken over the X receiver role after the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade.
Lions Rout Cardinals 45-21 in Week 5
Detroit Lions 45, Arizona Cardinals 21 at State Farm Stadium. Jared Goff went 19 of 30 for 271 yards with 3 touchdowns.
Giants Beat Cardinals 36-24 in Week 4
New York Giants 36, Arizona Cardinals 24 at MetLife Stadium. Jameis Winston went 18 of 29 for 250 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
49ers Beat Cardinals 36-30 in Week 3
San Francisco 49ers 36, Arizona Cardinals 30 at Levi's Stadium. Brock Purdy went 15 of 27 for 297 yards with 4 touchdowns.
Seahawks Rout Cardinals 31-7 in Week 2
Seattle Seahawks 31, Arizona Cardinals 7 at State Farm Stadium. Drew Lock went 19 of 26 for 235 yards with 3 touchdowns.
Cardinals Beat Chargers 26-14 in Week 1
Arizona Cardinals 26, Los Angeles Chargers 14 at SoFi Stadium. Jacoby Brissett went 27 of 37 for 277 yards with 1 touchdown.
