When the Arizona Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love in the 2026 NFL Draft, the front office knew they were getting a dynamic running back with explosive speed and the vision to create big plays. They studied the scouting reports, the combine numbers, and the tape from Notre Dame. What they might not have fully understood--until now--is just how impactful Love can be off the field.
That side of Love's character came into sharp focus this week when Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald shared a remarkable story about the rookie's role in recruiting his son, Devin Fitzgerald, to Notre Dame. It all started, as Fitzgerald put it, with a random Tuesday phone call.
A Surprise Call That Said It All
Larry Fitzgerald, who spent 17 seasons in Arizona and is widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the game, opened up about the moment he realized Jeremiyah Love was more than just a football player. According to Fitzgerald, Love took it upon himself to help sell Devin on the Notre Dame experience--not as part of any formal recruiting pitch, but as a genuine gesture of connection.
"I'm calling my son on a random Tuesday, just checking in," Fitzgerald explained. "And he tells me he's on the phone with Jeremiyah Love. He's not even committed to Notre Dame yet, and Jeremiyah is already pouring into him--talking about the school, the brotherhood, what it means to be a Fighting Irish. That's not a recruiter. That's a big brother."
This story has resonated deeply within the Cardinals organization, offering a glimpse into the kind of teammate and human being Arizona added when they drafted Love. In a league where so much attention is paid to 40-yard dash times and bench press reps, Fitzgerald's anecdote serves as a powerful reminder that character matters--sometimes more than measurable athleticism.
More Than a Rookie Running Back
For Cardinals fans still learning about their new rookie class, Love's role in this recruiting story provides context that goes far beyond the depth chart. Listed on the current roster alongside veteran James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson, Corey Kiner, and Bam Knight, Love enters a crowded backfield. But what he brings in terms of leadership and relationship-building could set him apart as a foundational piece for years to come.
Love spent three seasons at Notre Dame, where he developed a reputation as a hard-nosed runner with the patience to let blocks develop and the burst to hit holes when they opened. His college tape showed a back who could catch passes out of the backfield and hold his own in pass protection--skills that translate well to the NFL. But his influence extended beyond the playing field.
Fitzgerald's story suggests Love was already acting as an ambassador for the Notre Dame program before he declared for the draft. By reaching out to Devin Fitzgerald unprompted, Love demonstrated emotional intelligence and selflessness that coaching staffs highly value but rarely see celebrated publicly.
"That's the kind of guy you want in your locker room," said a Cardinals assistant coach. "He's not waiting to be told to be a leader. He just does it."
A Legacy Connection in Arizona
It's fitting that this story comes to light just as Love begins his professional career with the Cardinals. Larry Fitzgerald remains a towering figure in Arizona--his No. 11 hangs in the rafters at State Farm Stadium, and his influence on the franchise is still felt throughout the organization. For Love to already have a positive connection with a Cardinals icon carries symbolic weight.
Fitzgerald's son Devin is a highly touted prospect in his own right, and his commitment to Notre Dame in 2026 was a significant win for the Fighting Irish. While Devin's decision was ultimately his own, Love's role in the process speaks volumes about how Notre Dame alumni and former players look out for one another--and how Love carried that ethos with him as he prepared for the NFL.
For the Cardinals, this isn't just a feel-good story. It's a testament to the culture general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Mike LaFleur are trying to build in Arizona. In a locker room that features established stars like James Conner, Budda Baker, and Trey McBride, adding players who elevate those around them is critical. Love appears to fit that mold.
What It Means for the Cardinals Offense
From a pure football standpoint, Love's arrival in Arizona adds another layer of depth to a backfield that already has multiple options. James Conner remains the bell cow, assuming health permits, but head coach Mike LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett have shown a willingness to use multiple backs in creative ways.
Love's skill set--a blend of patience, vision, and receiving ability--makes him a natural fit for a modern NFL offense that values versatility. He can line up in the backfield, split out wide, or operate as a check-down option when the passing game needs a safety valve. His experience at Notre Dame, where he faced top-tier competition every week, should help him adjust to the speed of the professional game.
But Fitzgerald's story suggests Love's biggest contributions might come off the field. In a league where locker room chemistry can make or break a season, having a rookie who genuinely invests in his teammates from Day One is a significant advantage.
The Bigger Picture: Character as a Draft Asset
The Cardinals have prioritized character and leadership in recent draft classes, and Love fits squarely within that philosophy. While athletic testing and college production always influence draft boards, teams that consistently hit on late-round picks often do so because they value intangibles as much as measurables.
Love wasn't a first-round pick. He wasn't even a Day Two selection for many analysts. But stories like the one Fitzgerald shared explain why some players outperform their draft slot. When a player has the maturity to mentor a recruit while still finishing his own college career, he's showing the kind of awareness that translates directly to professional success.
The Cardinals hope Love's transition to the NFL mirrors the way he handled himself at Notre Dame. If he can build relationships with his new teammates the way he did with Devin Fitzgerald, he'll quickly become a respected figure in the locker room--regardless of how many carries he gets.
Final Thoughts
Jeremiyah Love will likely never match Larry Fitzgerald's on-field production in Arizona. That's not a knock on Love; it's simply the bar set by one of the greatest receivers in NFL history. But the Cardinals rookie is already carving out his own legacy in the Valley, and it has nothing to do with touchdowns or yards.
It has everything to do with a phone call on a random Tuesday, a teenager making a life-changing decision, and a college running back who decided to help simply because it was the right thing to do.
For Cardinals fans, that's the kind of rookie worth rooting for.