On the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, the pressure is supposed to be overwhelming. Cameras are everywhere, projections are locked in, and the future feels one phone call away.
But for Arvell Reese and Jeremiyah Love, the moment looked a little different — and a lot more grounded.
Before hearing their names called on football’s biggest stage this evening, the two projected first-round picks spent Wednesday afternoon speaking with Celeb Secrets and other media outlets in a twist that only adds to draft-week lore: clocking in for a “shift” at Raising Cane’s.
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With projections placing both athletes in the first round — Reese potentially in the top three and Love among the top 10 — expectations are unavoidable. But neither player is letting the noise dictate their mindset.
“Just keeping the main thing the main thing. And the main thing is football,” Love said in the media session. “Block out the noise… whether somebody’s saying good or bad things about you… just continue to be yourself.”
Reese’s approach is equally steady — and rooted in the standards he’s carried since his college days.
“I feel like I haven’t even been drafted yet, so the expectation is gonna stay the same for me,” he said. “I got a high standard for myself already… it’s nothing but trusting my training and trusting what I know.”
Both athletes also made it clear their focus has stayed internal throughout the process.
“I think my favorite part about this draft process is just… meeting everybody,” Reese shared in the media session. “Meeting a bunch of coaches and a bunch of different people, and just treating everybody the same — because you never know where you might end up or who you might need down the line.”
“The best part about this whole process has been… meeting the people, making connections,” Love echoed. “You don’t know where you’re gonna end up… so you want to make sure you’re giving everybody your A-game.”
Even as their names climb draft boards, both players are thinking beyond the moment — and how they’ll be perceived once they reach the league.
“I want people to understand that… we’re finna become professionals,” Love told Celeb Secrets. “But we’re still human beings at the same time. We do a lot of the same things that normal people do.”
As teams evaluate traits and upside, understanding a prospect’s football DNA is just as important. And when Celeb Secrets asked who inspired their game growing up, both players revealed telling influences.
For Reese, it was speed and explosiveness that first caught his attention — even if it came from the opposite side of the ball.
“Chris Johnson,” Reese said, referencing the former NFL running back known for his elite speed. “I used to want to play like Chris Johnson for sure.”
Love, meanwhile, pointed to one of the most iconic backs in football history, even if his exposure came later.
“I didn’t necessarily have somebody I watched growing up,” he admitted. “But my dad put on Barry Sanders highlights… and I thought he was pretty good. He’s probably the best running back of all time.”
While draft week can feel overwhelming, both players have found simple ways to stay grounded off the field. Their secret? Being low-key and doing things like “playing the game,” “watching anime,” and “spending time with [my] people.”
For their “shift” at Cane’s, both athletes brought elite talent and personality to the brand’s first-ever “Cane’s Combine,” which featured a series of Cane’s-inspired challenges including a lemon squeeze grip test, Cane’s Sauce shuffleboard and a Chicken Finger basket hold. The duo also served Box Combos, signed autographs and created unforgettable moments for Caniacs ahead of the biggest night of their careers.
Set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh hosting the Draft for the first time in decades, the appearance added a unique chapter to their journey — one that balanced spotlight with humility. As Reese and Love now turn their attention to Draft night, their Cane’s “shift” served as a memorable stop on the journey, one filled with energy, gratitude and a taste of what’s to come at the next level.
The 2026 NFL Draft begins TONIGHT, April 24th @ 8PM ET/5PM PT on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and NFL Network.
Interview quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity. For more coverage from Raising Cane’s, click here.
