Jeremiyah Love Reacts to Being No. 3 Overall NFL Draft Pick, Lands Historic Contract with Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday.

After the selection was announced, Love spoke about representing running backs.

"I feel very honored to represent the running backs, and I'll put on for them," Love said.

Here's a look at where Love fits on the draft board.

Love's No. 3 spot is the highest a running back has gone in the draft since Saquon Barkley at No. 2 to the New York Giants in 2018.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports provided more info on the guaranteed money going Love's way.

Love was the second overall player on the Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department's big board with a grade of 9.0 out of 10 (Pro Bowl Player — 1st Round). That was the same grade Atlanta Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson, last year's leader in scrimmage yards, received in 2023. Only Ohio State safety Caleb Downs ranked higher than Love this year.

Love also received a pro comparison to former Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro with 10,156 scrimmage yards and 64 touchdowns to his name.

"Jeremiyah Love is the 'new age' bell cow running back who does not have to leave the field," B/R NFL scout Damian Parson wrote in part.

"Love is a dynamic and explosive running back who possesses the skill set to be a complete weapon in an NFL offense. He combines home-run top-end speed with route-running and pass-catching ability to impact the offense in multiple ways."

Love amassed 1,652 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns on just 226 touches in 2025. In other words, he gained 7.31 yards per touch.

He ran for 6.9 yards per carry each of the past two seasons and 6.7 yards per carry over his three-year career at Notre Dame. Over three seasons, Love had 3,476 total yards and 42 touchdowns. Unsurprisingly, he finished with All-American honors in 2025.

In addition, Love was named as the first-ever winner of the Disney Spirit Award this past December.

Overall, there's a lot to like about the 6'0", 212-pound Love, who also ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

He projects as a potential game-breaking superstar on the next level, and we'll find out soon if that comes to fruition.