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PITTSBURGH — Jeremiyah Love is off to the races.

Notre Dame’s star running back was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Love is the highest drafted Notre Dame player since quarterback Rick Mirer in 1993. He is the highest running back taken off the board since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018.

In his three years with Notre Dame, Love tallied 2,882 rushing yards, 594 receiving yards and 42 total touchdowns. This past fall, Love’s 21 combined touchdowns broke Notre Dame’s single-season record set by Jerome Bettis in 1992.

But Love’s mind-boggling statistical achievements fail to fully capture just how great he was as a Golden Domer.

Love will be remembered for his otherworldly playmaking ability. During his sophomore year, with the Irish’s back up against the wall against Penn State, Love did the unthinkable. Notre Dame’s Superman shed off several defenders — including 2025 first-rounder Abdul Carter — en route to a crucial touchdown.

That’s not to mention his 56-yard touchdown against Pitt’s top-ranked rushing defense, his absurd one-handed touchdown catch vs. Texas A&M or his 228-yard performance against USC.

Love is poised to add to his impressive catalog of explosive plays in the NFL. He’ll have the chance to do so in the ultra-talented NFC West alongside perennial Super Bowl contenders in the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, as well as the reigning champions Seattle Seahawks — who drafted fellow Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick.

However, the Cardinals’ newest playmaker isn’t afraid of the challenge.

“As far as competition goes, I’m ready to compete,” said Love in his press conference after the draft. “I’m all about competing, about testing how I fare against other good players.”

While Love can certainly compete against the best, his biggest challenge is something he can’t control: the rest of the Arizona Cardinals roster.

Last year, Arizona averaged 93.1 rushing yards per game. That mark ranked second to last in the NFL. The Cardinals’ poor offensive line play was a pivotal reason the team crumbled to a 3-14 record. Ultimately, their offensive line strength is far inferior to the highly-touted unit he played behind in South Bend.

Regardless of whatever difficulties may lie ahead, Love is ready to do anything to help Arizona turn the tide.

“I will do anything for the organization to have success. I can run the ball, I can receive, I can block, I can play special teams if you need me to,” said Love.

Love was confident as ever and reveling in the joy after being drafted. But he also understands the moment is just the first step in what promises to be a long road ahead.

“I’m not complacent with being drafted,” said Love. “I want to get a gold jacket, I want to be recognized, I want to be the best running back to come through the game of football. It’s a lot of big talk, but there’s also a lot of work that has to be put in, and that’s what I plan to do.”

For those who have never seen Jeremiyah Love step on the gridiron, it definitely is “big talk.” For those who have, it makes perfect sense. Love’s video-game-esque juke moves and his coined hurdle catapulted him to becoming the widely considered number one prospect in this year's draft.

And although Love appeared nothing short of ecstatic for his new home in Arizona, calling living under the warm Phoenix sun a “wish come true,” he will forever hold a special place in his heart for the University of Notre Dame.

“Notre Dame was my first home. So, it’s a lot of weight that comes with that,” said Love in an exclusive post-draft interview with Notre Dame Student Media’s Molly O’Malley. “I take pride in that. Going to go out there and make sure I do what I gotta do to carry on that legacy.”

Later in his open press conference, Love opened up on how the University prepared him for this very moment.

“Notre Dame is a very prestigious school. One thing I learned at Notre Dame was that if you don’t got your academics right, you’re not going to be playing any type of sport,” said Love. “As I go to the Cardinals and go to Arizona, it’ll allow me to be the best version of myself. Being a Notre Dame man, I’m very proud of it.”

For Notre Dame, Jeremiyah Love is a dream representative of the school. A gently spoken 20-year-old, Love’s calm demeanor put the media room at ease.

Throughout all of his interviews, he consistently shared three words more than the rest.

“It’s all love.”

As Jeremiyah Love takes his talents to the next level, the opposition may think otherwise. However, for Love, it truly is all about playing with the joy instilled within him at Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis.

It was there Love went from an “unknown” kid to a nationally recruited prospect. It was at the University of Notre Dame where he emerged as one of the best players in the modern history of the program.

Now with the Arizona Cardinals, the sky is the limit for Jeremiyah Love.

“This is a huge accomplishment to get drafted into the NFL, but this is just the beginning of a great journey.”