The Herd with Colin Cowherd: 3 & Out – Jeremiyah Love at the Combine, Speed in the NFL, AI’s Impact on the League

Host: John Middlekauff
Episode Date: March 2, 2026
Main Focus: Takeaways from the NFL Combine – spotlight on Jeremiah Love, the growing role of speed in football, and how artificial intelligence could reshape NFL jobs and scouting.

Episode Overview

John Middlekauff, fresh from a whirlwind trip to the NFL Combine (and a couple of sick days with a newborn at home), shares candid, big-picture observations from football’s annual scouting showcase. With a focus on Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love, the role and value of running backs, evolving trends in player speed and injury, and the looming specter of AI on NFL jobs, John delivers insider anecdotes, GM conversations, and the unique social ecosystem of the Combine. Listener mailbag and additional interviews are teased for the week ahead.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jeremiah Love’s Combine Standout & The Evolving Value of Running Backs

Timestamp: 06:45 – 20:45

• Running Back Value:
  • Running back was considered “devalued” for years due to supply and demand; many capable backs can be found in later rounds.
  • However, “Hall of Fame” caliber running backs like Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, and Bijan Robinson are still seen as franchise cornerstones.
  • If Bijan Robinson were traded, "they would get two number one picks for the guy" due to his rare talent. (07:55)
• Jeremiah Love’s combine:
  • Notre Dame running back, 6’0”, 212 pounds, ran a blazing 4.36 forty.
  • Despite excelling at his position and having every reason to “shut it down,” Love eagerly did extra position drills and receiving work during the combine.
  • “Once he ran a 4.36, he could have said, ‘Guys, I'm not doing anything at the combine. I'm not doing anything at the pro day.’ ... Do you know what he said? Instead: ‘Yeah, I'll do it. Let's roll.’” (12:45)
  • Middlekauff praises Love’s character, competitive nature, and willingness to prove himself beyond the minimum.
  • “Double middle fingers to every guy that's like, ‘I'm a little too cool for school. I'm not going to work out. My agent told me to do this.’ … Jeremiah Love would have been the number one guy to not do anything. And he did everything.” (22:53)
• Draft Projection:
  • Projects Love as a consensus top-10 pick, maybe as high as 4th overall.
  • Draws parallels with previous controversial high RB picks, but admits: “Those three [CMC, Saquon, Bijan] are like some of my favorite guys in the league. I love the way they play and I love everything they stand for.” (19:10)

2. National Champion Indiana – How Did They Do It?

Timestamp: 21:30 – 28:25

• Talent Disparity:
  • Unlike Alabama, Ohio State, or Georgia, Indiana’s team had few highly ranked prospects.
  • “Talking to some different scouts and people in the league, there is a chance that another Indiana player doesn’t come off the board till the third round.” (23:00)
• Historic Feat:
  • Compares Indiana’s championship to schools that fielded rosters stacked with future first- and second-round draft picks.
  • "It truly became more impressive… that Indiana won this national championship." (25:25)
  • Credits transfer portal and NIL for making such Cinderella runs possible now.

3. Blistering Speed and the ‘Injury Epidemic’

Timestamp: 28:25 – 35:10

• Faster Than Ever:
  • Combine “was the fastest group in history” across positions, from D-linemen to DBs, per Daniel Jeremiah and Rich Eisen.
  • “If you ran a 4.52, you felt slow… now, if you’re not in the low 4.4s, you’re bringing up the rear.” (29:37)
• Trends Leading to More Injuries:
  • Players are training for speed more than ever, but reduced practice/physicality (no more double-days) means less contact readiness.
  • "There's never been more speed and there's never been less practice. And that's a combination that equals injured reserve.” (34:20)
• Big Ten’s Ascendance:
  • NIL deals bringing talent that formerly flocked to SEC schools into Big Ten programs.

4. NFL Quarterback Market Musings

Timestamp: 38:00 – 41:20

• Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray likely to be cut; Malik Willis, at age 26, benefits from QB-needy market and is looking at a big payday.
• Tyson Bagent is described as a hopeful, inexpensive fallback for teams wary of high-priced, questionable veterans.
• Derek Carr’s durability and leadership have increased his value compared to risky options.

5. AI’s Impact on NFL Jobs: Threat or Tool?

Timestamp: 41:20 – 49:45

• AI-generated scouting reports:
  • Teams are starting to use thorough, data-driven player evaluations by AI, as reported by Mike Florio.
  • But the "real" value of scouts is digging up off-field/personality info through real relationships: “Their job… the least important part of it is the evaluation part, especially as the area scouts. Maybe for pro scouts you’d be in some trouble.” (44:00)
• Quality Control on the Chopping Block:
  • Positions that involve largely compiling data, clips, and play drawing “could be in major trouble” when tools automate the grunt work.
• Human Element and Insider Info:
  • “How are you calling the GM of Oregon football and going like, what happened to your running back, when it’s not public information?... There’s a player in this draft who’s going to go really high, who was involved in a situation off the field the scouts know about, the public does not and the media then freaks out when stuff comes out.” (46:58)
• AI vs. ‘Real Stuff’:
  • John is bullish on the human side: “Anytime you go somewhere with family, with friends and interact with humans, how good do you feel? When you sit and live in the algo, how good do you feel?” (45:00)
• Balance in NFL Career Success:
  • League rewards relentless, unbalanced dedication: “This is a serious ass league and guys that excel... are serious ass people. … You can luck into a year, but you can't have a high end career without being all your chips in the middle of the table.” (47:10)

6. Memorable Combine Stories & NFL Social Scene

Timestamp: 49:55 – end (~54:09)

• Meeting Brandon Staley:
  • Surreal, “awkward” encounter at a crowded steakhouse-turned-nightclub. Staley now bald; Middlekauff previously publicly critical of him.
• Coach Impressions:
  • Praise for Anthony Weaver (Ravens DC), Joe Brady (young, “millennial vibe”), and Mike Macdonald (Super Bowl champion Ravens head coach) as unassuming, impressive leaders.
  • “If you ever want to break into football, there is not an easier way to meet people ... than just going to Indianapolis for several days and whether you drink or not, just going out at night and just being social.” (52:45)
• NFL Culture:
  • Middlekauff describes the odd mix of egos, gossip, and the unique, almost high school/Wall Street/Bravo reality show environment among coaches and staff at the Combine.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jeremiah Love’s competitiveness:

  “Double middle fingers to every guy that’s like, ‘I’m a little too cool for school. I’m not going to work out...’ Jeremiah Love would have been the number one guy to not do anything. And he did everything.” (22:53)

• On Indiana’s title:

  “It truly became more impressive... that Indiana won this national championship. So when I see that Kurt Signetti’s making $13 million, I go he’s underpaid. He deserves more.” (25:10)

• On the speed/injury paradox:

  “There’s never been more speed and there’s never been less practice. And that’s a combination that equals injured reserve.” (34:20)

• On AI’s limits in scouting:

  “The number one job of the area scouts is to get all the information that is not available. Find out about his character. That is not public information.” (44:00) “If it was just the player, drafting would be easy. Why do most of these guys in the NFL fail? Because the person, because the wiring, because the focus. You can’t measure.” (47:00)

• On combining and networking:

  “Just going out at night and being social... I talked to more people in two days than I probably have in six months. Beside you people, I have more people listening to me, but I don’t actually get to interact with most of you guys.” (53:15) “If you ever want to break into football, there is not an easier way…” (52:45)

Key Timestamps

• Jeremiah Love & Running Backs: 06:45–20:45
• Indiana’s Unique Success: 21:30–28:25
• Speed & Injury Trends: 28:25–35:10
• NFL QB Carousel: 38:00–41:20
• AI & Scouting Debate: 41:20–49:45
• Combine Stories & Networking: 49:55–54:09

Tone Highlights

Middlekauff’s tone is informal and anecdotal, blending football X’s-and-O’s with locker room banter, behind-the-scenes gossip, and the perspective of someone who’s been inside both scouting departments and the football media world. He is self-aware (addressing his own takes’ contradictions), candid about the Combine’s party atmosphere, and optimistic about the enduring value of human relationships—whether it’s for NFL scouts or breaking into the league.

Summary prepared for listeners and fans who want the full scope of the episode's main discussions, key takeaways, and memorable Combine moments, with attribution and timestamps throughout.