Notre Dame has found success developing running backs in recent history. Kyren Williams and Audric Estime had impressive college careers in South Bend before turning pro. Breakout sophomore Jeremiyah Love is next in line and might be the best Fighting Irish back in recent memory. Ashton Jeanty dominated the headlines surrounding the running back position last fall after a historic 2024 season. With Jeanty off to the NFL, many have turned their attention to Love, who had a remarkable sophomore campaign. His highlight reel is among the best in college football, but how good can he be at the next level?
2026 NFL Draft: Jeremiyah Love Player Profile
Background
Love was a four-star prospect and the fifth-ranked running back in the Class of 2023. After winning back-to-back state championships with Christian Brothers (Missouri), he committed to Notre Dame. Love spent 2023 behind Estime on the depth chart, but saw his fair share of action. He rushed for 385 yards and a touchdown on 71 carries as a freshman. The flashes that Love has shown were on full display in 2024. He had 163 carries for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns in Notre Dame’s trip to the National Championship game. Love sustained a knee injury against USC that he battled throughout the College Football Playoff.
Strengths
Love is arguably the most explosive running back in college football and is a big-time run waiting to happen. His acceleration is incredible, and he can maintain his top-end speed to finish long runs in the end zone. The speed and acceleration are what show up on the highlights, but Love is far from just a burner. His contact balance is impressive, allowing him to extend plays after contact. Love routinely powers through defenders and gets every yard he can in the trenches. He showcases good vision and patience, which helps him find the right gap. Love’s shiftiness complements his speed and power. His short-area quickness makes him incredibly difficult to bring down. Love showed he is a capable pass catcher in 2024, having 28 receptions for 287 yards and two touchdowns.
Weaknesses
The biggest concern for Love is durability. He dealt with a right knee injury down the stretch in 2024, which limited his production in multiple playoff games. A question mark surrounding him is his workload, as he had more than 15 carries in just one game last season. The talent is undeniable, but it’s uncertain whether Love can be a bell-cow back that regularly gets 20+ touches. While he is certainly an adequate receiver on check-downs, his route tree is limited, and he isn’t a huge vertical threat in the passing game.
Overview
Love is, without a doubt, a blue-chip prospect in the 2026 class. His combination of speed, acceleration, and physicality is a rare blend that very few tailbacks possess. There are concerns regarding his durability and whether he can be an every-down player. If he stays healthy, there’s no reason to think Love can’t be even more dominant in 2025. Expect his workload to increase with Riley Leonard’s departure, creating a void in the rushing offense. Love is widely considered the best running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, and rightfully so. He projects as a player selected in the middle of the first round, but should go even higher if he shows he can maintain his production with a higher workload.
Main Photo: [Mark J. Rebilas] – USA Today Sports
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