Getty

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love shared his mindset becoming the highest selected running back since Saquon Barkley.

The Arizona Cardinals and running back Jeremiyah Love made some history during the first night of the NFL Draft. By taking Love third overall, the Cardinals made him the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018.

There are, of course, going to be those who question taking any running back so high, but Love’s talent was too much for the Cardinals to ignore. But that does put pressure on Love to be the NFL’s next premier running back.

“It’s very special,” Love said. “I have the opportunity to really set a new standard for running backs. We’ve already had Saquon, we’ve had Bijan [Robinson], we’ve had Ashton Jeanty, and now you have me. It is my job and it’s my duty to make sure that when I step foot in Arizona that I do what I got to do to represent the backs and represent Arizona in the right way,” Love said.

“So, that’s what I’m going to do coming into the league. I’m going to make sure I represent the right way. And, yeah, I’m very blessed to have that opportunity, man, and I’m just ready to work and do what I got to do to have success.”

To an extent, drafting a running back in the Top 10, let alone the Top 3, is a gamble. Love mentioned Robinson and Jeantry. They’re the only two going in the Top 10 in the last seven drafts since Barkley. That’s with talent at the position, but teams are nervous about value there.

Everything to Know About Arizona Cardinals Running Back Jeremiyah Love

The Arizona Cardinals landed a running back with an excellent pedigree when it comes to Jeremiyah Love. A four-star recruit in the Class of 2023 who doubled as a track star in high school, Love would go on to play for Notre Dame, quickly becoming one of that program’s best players at the position.

It would be Love’s sophomore season when he broke out at Notre Dame. That year, 2024, saw him play in 16 games. During that time, he had 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns, rushing for 6.9 yards per carry. Love also caught 28 passes for 237 yards and another 2 touchdowns.

Seemingly impossible to live up to that, Love would become a Heisman finalist as a junior, not to mention earning All-American and Doak Walker honors. In 12 games, he had 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns. That was on 6.9 yards per carry. He also had 27 receptions for 280 yards and another 3 touchdowns.

In the pre-draft process, Love continued to impress and move up mock drafts. That included a stunning NFL Combine process, which saw him run a 4.36 40-yard dash.

Jeremiyah Love Says He’s Felt Welcomed in by the Cardinals

The Cardinals and Love do seem to have gotten off on the right foot. Shortly after being selected, Love praised GM Monti Ossenfort and the rest of the front office in Arizona.

“They’re very kindhearted. They spoke very well. And, I mean, we just immediately hit it off. There was no, I feel like, ‘Oh, I got to see who this person really, really is. I feel like they believed in everything that everybody was saying about me. They got to meet me and just showed them who I am and I was being authentic,” Love said.

“And, shoot, the relationship just was good from the start. There was no trying to dig deeper and really pry into me really. There was just authenticity and just good vibes all around.”

The hope is that Love now becomes a player who the Cardinals can build around. That will continue on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, where a new quarterback may be on the collective mind of the Cardinals’ front office.