Former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was picked No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday in Pittsburgh. Love became the first running back picked in the top five of the draft since Saquon Barkley was selected No. 2 overall in 2018.
Jason Love Explains Jeremiyah’s Decision to Choose Notre Dame
While speaking to reporters after the running back arrived at the Dignity Health Training Center in Tempe on Friday, Jason Love detailed his son turning down seven-figure offers from other elite college football teams during his recruitment to join the Fighting Irish.
“The goal was to be great. In hindsight, I see the benchmarks that led us to this place,” Jason Love said. “It was never, ‘Unless we’re going to the NFL.’ When he chose to go to Notre Dame, he turned down a lot of money. He turned down seven figures, bro. He was like, ‘I’m gonna get that. I’m gonna earn it anyway. I just wanna earn it before I enjoy it.’
“He started telling me that in high school and we decided to go to Notre Dame. He had to sit behind (Audric) Estime and the other running backs. He was patient, but he still knew that he was gonna eventually be the guy.”
Love was a four-star recruit and was ranked the No. 4 running back and No. 59 overall player in the class of 2023 by Rivals. He chose to join coach Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish over offers from the Alabama Crimson Tide, Oregon Ducks, and the Texas A&M Aggies.
In his freshman season in South Bend, Love was buried on the depth chart and was the No. 5 running back at the program. When Audric Estime departed for the NFL, Love climbed the depth chart and became Notre Dame’s starting running back, exploding for 1,125 rushing yards, resulting in 17 touchdowns, while adding 28 catches for 237 yards and 2 scores.
He led the Fighting Irish to the national championship game in 2024, where they fell just short against the Ohio State Buckeyes, but he made program history in the process by managing 13 consecutive games with a rushing touchdown.
After being selected by the Cardinals on draft night, Love sent a wholesome message to the Fighting Irish.
“I’m going to put on for all football players, I’m going to put on for Notre Dame, and I’m going to put on for my family,” Love said.
Despite the Fighting Irish falling short of the College Football Playoff last season, Love earned a PFSN College Running Back Impact score of 92.4 after registering 1,372 rushing yards on 199 carries, resulting in 18 touchdowns, while adding 280 yards on 27 receptions, resulting in 3 scores.
