Former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is willing to do whatever it takes on the football field, even returning kicks.
The Arizona Cardinals made Love the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, betting big on the Doak Walker Award-winning running back. Love was one of the most feared running backs in college football his entire career and now he hopes to find a role in the next level.
Love participated in participated in organized team activities and participated in kick returner drills. Head coach Mike Lafleur mentioned he would be open in trying to give Love opportunities as a returner and upon hearing that, Love seemed to be receptive to the idea saying, “I would be very joyful about doing it. Any opportunity to get the ball in my hands and do something with it, it’s great for me. I’m blessed to be able to do that, because not everybody gets to touch the ball, so in whatever way or form it takes, me being able to make plays, I’m all for it, whether it’s kick return or punt return, or whatever it may be.”
Love’s openness to returning kicks is notable because it would be a new wrinkle in his football career as he had only very limited opportunities to return kicks in South Bend. He logged only three kick returns for 42 yards in his time at Notre Dame. Those opportunities came early in his career, before he settled in as the workhorse in the Fighting Irish offense.
In three seasons with the Irish, Love piled up 2,882 rushing yards, 594 receiving yards and 42 total touchdowns, helping Notre Dame to a 34-7 record during his career.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Jeremiyah Love could be used in a different role for Arizona
Reporting by Sunny Verma, Fighting Irish Wire / Fighting Irish Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
