Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, who starred in high school at CBC and then in college at Notre Dame before becoming the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, is charged up to play Thursday night (Aug. 6) in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
“I’m excited to just play in a game. It’s not like an in-season game, but I get to go out there and showcase some of my skills, so I’m excited about that,” Love shared with reporters following a Cardinals training camp practice last week.
In a classic NFL “know-your-place, rookie” move, Love was not listed as first string on the team’s first preseason depth chart. That designation went to Tyler Allgeier.
Barring an injury, Love and first-year head coach Mike LaFleur certainly know who will start on Sept. 13 on the road against the L.A. Chargers in his team’s first regular season game.
In the meantime, Love wants to carry the rock a few times in the Hall of Fame Game in front of 2026 HOF inductee Larry Fitzgerald, who starred with the Cardinals for 17 seasons.
“Larry being inducted into the Hall of Fame, that’s just a huge honor, you know? … We get to celebrate one of the past teammates. We get to celebrate one of our own,” Love said, sounding like a seasoned veteran.
“I’m gonna take a lot of pride in going out there and putting my best foot forward and make sure I compete.”
Love’s family, friends and fans that aren’t in Canton can watch the game against the Carolina Panthers at 7 p.m. on KSDK (Channel 5) and Peacock.
A slew of NFL preseason games featuring native sons follows beginning Aug. 13.
The Reid roundup
STL’s own Kyren Williams and his L.A. Rams became the favorite to win the Super Bowl when edge rusher Myles Garrett was obtained from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade in June. Williams, who rushed for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 281 receiving yards and a TD, says, “I really honed in on what it is being a running back,” during offseason training. Williams has also returned punts in practice, something I doubt fans see frequently during the regular season…In Chicago, Bears fans are hoping the Caleb Williams to Luther Burden connection becomes one of the NFL’s most feared QB-wide receiver connections. Burden’s career started slowly his rookie season after he starred at East St. Louis and Missouri, but he began hitting his stride in rookie coach Ben Johnson’s offense. “(Luther) wants to be one of the strongest receivers on the team and just continues to soak in all the knowledge,” said Johnson…Also poised for a breakout season in the NFC North is Detroit Lions wide receiver and returner Jameson Williams. With All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on the field, the Lions could have one of the best receiving combos in the NFL. After a mediocre start in 2025, Williams knew it was time to step up his game. “I knew my time was gonna come, and I knew what I was going to do because when my time comes, the ball is in my hands and I know how to control it,” said the former Cardinal Ritter and Alabama standout…Jonathan Owens, a six-year NFL veteran and husband of gymnast Simone Biles, signed during the offseason with the Indianapolis Colts. The former CBC star has a solid chance to make the 53-man roster playing linebacker and special teams…After the soccer world had its eyes on Kansas City during six matches of the World Cup, the Kansas City Chiefs have opened training camp with great news. QB Patrick Mahomes has been cleared to practice and will likely start the season opener on the road against the defending AFC West champion Denver Broncos. ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote following last Friday’s practice, “He looked like old Patrick Mahomes. He had a laser beam down the middle of the field to rookie receiver Cyrus Allen in coverage that just blew the crowd away.”