Love’s loving Giants
ND corner ‘lost for words’ after being selected by NY
Julian Love knew a life-changing call was coming.
It was just a matter of when. “I was ready — I was waiting for my name to be called to see where I’d be a good fit,” Love said in a phone interview Saturday.
“When it finally came, I was very excited. I feel like I landed at the right spot.”
That spot is with the Giants, who selected the Notre Dame cornerback Saturday in the fourth round of the NFL draft. The Nazareth graduate, who grew up in Westchester, was the No. 108 pick.
He had family with him when the news came.
“They’ve been there my whole life supporting me,” Love said. “It was pretty special to be here with them.”
Love earned consensus AllAmerica honors in 2018 as a junior for the Irish. He made 63 tackles and broke up 16 passes, helping Notre Dame to its first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Despite playing just three seasons, Love is Notre Dame’s career Chiefs. Eagles. Steelers. leader with 39 pass breakups. And now he’ll look to aid the Giants secondary.
“I’ve been waiting for this,” Love said “(It is) my dream for my whole life.”
Love said he spoke with Giants coach Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator James Bettcher.
“It was special,” Love said. “I’m lost for words.”
Love was one of four Notre Dame players drafted Saturday. Overall, six Notre Dame players were selected this year, including Providence graduate Miles Boykin.
The Ravens drafted the wide receiver in the third round Friday with the No. 93 pick.
“There was a lot of anticipation, a lot of waiting around, but it was great being able to get the chance to play for a team like the Ravens,” Boykin said in a phone interview Saturday.
Boykin led the Irish with 59 catches for 872 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. The Ravens traded two six-rounders to the Vikings to move up and select Boykin.
“I was extremely humbled to get that phone call — I was speechless,” Boykin said. “The biggest thing for me is that they traded two draft picks away to come get me. That makes me feel wanted. I knew they really wanted me and that’s what they had to do to get me.
“They had faith in me, so I know everything is going to be great because I have a coaching staff that believes in me and I believe in them.”
The Chargers drafted linebacker Drue Tranquill in the fourth round (No. 130). He was the second Notre Dame player the Chargers drafted this year — they grabbed defensive tackle Jerry Tillery in the first round Thursday.
“Great pick,” Tillery wrote on Twitter. “Welcome Drue.”
Running back Dexter Williams went to the Packers in the sixth round at No. 194. Tight end Alize Mack rounded out Notre Dame’s draft day, going to the Saints in the seventh round at No. 231.
“Saints Nation, I’m so emotional right now,” Mack wrote on Twitter.
“I promise you, you’re going to get everything I got.”