With the third overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love.In the days ahead of the big event in Pittsburgh, the Notre Dame running back’s stock had been rising. Love has landed in Arizona as the 3rd overall pickGettyArizona proved the hype is real, with only Fernando Mendoza and David Bailey coming off the board before him.Love, as it turns out, will be very well compensated for that hype, as he tied Garrison Hearst in 1993 for the highest-drafted RB for the Cardinals in the modern era.As the third overall pick, he will sign a four-year rookie deal worth $50,537,014.That figure instantly makes him the NFL‘s highest-paid running back.Forget former Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, or Indianapolis Colts standout Jonathan Taylor. How did Jeremiyah Love become top three draft pick?Instead, it’s 20-year-old Love who will make the most money in the backfield, even eclipsing New Orleans Saints star Travis Etienne Jr. — who signed a four-year, $48m deal when he moved to the Big Easy last month. While he’s yet to step foot in the NFL, Love’s final season with the Fighting Irish saw him enter the conversation as the best player in the Class of ’26.Positional value dictates that running backs fall down boards, but the 6-foot, 214-pound star rushed for 1,372 yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, and scored 18 touchdowns.He didn’t fumble once in 500 career touches in South Bend and earned unanimous All-American honors and the Doak Walker Award — the first Notre Dame RB to do so.Love was the program’s first Heisman finalist since Manti Te’o in 2012, and was declared the school’s best rusher since Johnny Lattner in 1953.Love’s draft stock rose following a standout 2025 season with Notre DameGettyIf there were any doubts about a high selection, they were swiftly put to bed with a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.Ahead of the draft, he outlined how he would use his future earnings. What will Jeremiyah Love do with record NFL deal?“I low key wish I could come back, but I have to take care of my family,” Love told Mike Berardino of the South Bend Tribune, discussing his decision to declare at Notre Dame’s Pro Day.That family includes sister Jaela, mom L’Tyona and dad Jason — a veteran who coached him in youth football.They have been doing the same pre-game ritual, where Jeremiyah finds Jason in the stands for a head-to-head talk and affirmations, since he was six years old.Now, they will have a chance to do the same at State Farm stadium, when Love suits up for the Cardinals.Love silenced any remaining doubters at the Scouting CombineGetty“It’s very special,” Love said of his draft moment. “My dad was the first person that believed in me, he had to sacrifice a lot to get me to this point, so I’ve got to pay him back.“I’m looking forward to getting to work in Arizona… we’re going to do some special things together.” That record contract will certainly help Love take care of his family, as hoped, too.Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more.