St. Louis native and Notre Dame junior running back Jeremiyah Love lived out a life-long dream Thursday night in Pittsburgh as his name was read and he was selected as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, going third overall to the Arizona Cardinals. The intrigue, and one of the most analyzed and debated topics annually in the world of sports, was put to rest when the all-American running back was selected by the NFC West team, formerly located in Love's hometown of St. Louis.
The Christian Brothers College High School alum and Cadets state champion sprinter Love was named first-team All-American and a Heisman Award Finalist, and was widely considered one of the top five talents in the draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper placed Love 2nd on his Big Board of final player rankings, behind only Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Check out the reaction at CBC when Love's pick was announced:
As the first day of the three-day draft neared, more and more discussion centered on whether teams without running back needs and the great value that teams place on the quarterback, offensive tackle, pass rusher, and cover cornerback positions, may or should have changed their considerations because of the overwhelming running, receiving, and blocking ability of Love. One expert even said he's an especially talented receiver, that he could be an elite NFL wide receiver.
At CBC, in his first year of high school track and field, Love won six of 7 meets in the 100-meter dash, including the Missouri Class 5 State Championships. His winning time came in 10.76 seconds, racing into a headwind of 0.3 meters/second. It also came without a prelim, in the fastest-seeded section when COVID-19 protocols forced each classification into a single-day state meet. Love also long jumped at five meets, winning four times and recording a best of 6.75m/22-1.75''.
Love competed at two meets as a junior, improving his long jump to 6.82 meters/22-4.5 and setting a 200-meter best of 22.11.
On the gridiron, Love helped the Cadets to two Missouri Class 6 state titles during the Fall athletic campaigns.
As a senior in 2023, Jeremiyah Love improved his long jump in his only competition to 6.89 meters or 22-7.25 to win the Metro Catholic Conference title to go with the 200-meter crown.
Love claimed a big wind-aided 100-meter dash personal record of 10.54 at the Kansas Relays with a 6.1 meters per second gust behind him.
Love claimed 100-meter District and Sectional titles before taking 5th in the Class 5 (of 5) State prelims in 10.81, but didn't start the next day's final.
Love's resume for Notre Dame is long and astonishing. In his junior and final season, he won the Doak Walker Award as the country's top running back. He placed third in the Heisman Trophy balloting after averaging 6.9 yards per carry, and totallying 1,372 yards rushing and 280 yards receiving while scoring 21 touchdowns. He was a consensus and unanimous All-American. In his sophomore year, he led the Fighting Irish to the National Championship game with another 1,125 rushing yards on 6.9 yards per carry again.
Other recent top Missouri track and field standouts turned top NFL Draft picks:
-Ezekiel Elliott #4 Dallas Cowboys Running Back 2016, John Burroughs State Champion 110H, 100, 300H, 200
Ezekiel was dominant in Class 3 (of 4) his senior year, claiming four individual state titles. After claiming the national title with Ohio State, the tailback was drafted fourth overall by the Cowboys and had an immediate impact. He claimed the Rookie of the Year and the first of his two All-Pro nods in his debut season of 2016.
-Jameson Williams #12 Detroit Lions Wide Receiver 2022, Cardinal Ritter, State Champion 300H, 400,
4x400 High School State Record,
Williams was a monster on the track. As a junior in 2018, he almost pulled off 4 individual state titles like Elliott had done before him in Class 3. He won the 400 in a PR (personal record) of 47.13 to win the 400 meters, turned around and won the 300 Hurdles in 37.47. He also finished second in the 100 and 200 in 10.94. and 21.53w.
Anudike-Uzomah was an All-State performer in the triple jump, posting a best of 14.21 meters/46-7.25. He also competed in the long jump, javelin, and shot put. Anudike-Uzomah was the 2022 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year for Kansas State and watched from his suburban home with family and friends as his name was called by the hometown Chiefs with the final pick in the 1st Round of the 2023 NFL Draft, hosted nearby in Kansas City.
The 6-0, 270-280lb high school defensive tackle looked the part on the defensive side of the ball, however, it was as a running back that defenses and spectators were stunned by his agility and speed to cut through holes in the offensive line, break outside, or even run through would-be tacklers.
In the throws ring his senior year, Saunders joined the 60-foot club with a shot put personal best of 18.47m/60-7 and won every competition he competed in, except for state, where he placed 2nd for a second straight year in Class 4 (of 4) in 2014. In the discus, Saunders threw a best of 47.47 meters or 156 feet and 9 inches and placed 15th at state.