Honestly, it’s kinda wild how quickly we move on to the next big thing. One minute we’re arguing about whether Jeremiyah Love is the best running back to ever wear the blue and gold, and the next, he’s already declaring for the NFL. If you’ve been living under a rock, the news is out: the Doak Walker winner is heading to the league.
But there’s a lot of noise out there. People keep talking about his 94-yard sprint against Boston College or that absolutely disgusting 228-yard performance against USC as if that’s all he is—a highlight reel. It’s not. There is so much more to what made Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame work than just raw speed.
Why the "Speed Merchant" Label is Lazy
You’ve seen the track stats. He won a state title in the 100-meter dash back in Missouri with a 10.76. We get it. He's fast. But if you watch the tape from the 2025 season, you see a guy who actually figured out how to wait.
Early on in his career, Love was sort of like a Ferrari that only knew how to go 120 mph. He’d run into the backs of his own offensive linemen because he was just too twitchy. By his junior year, he was pressing the gap, letting the pulling guards do the dirty work, and then hitting the nitro. That patience is exactly why he averaged a staggering 6.9 yards per carry in back-to-back seasons.
- 2024 Season: 1,125 rushing yards, 17 TDs, and that record-breaking 13-game scoring streak.
- 2025 Season: 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs, and a Doak Walker Award.
Basically, he became a "complete" back. He wasn't just bouncing everything outside like a scared freshman. He was putting his head down and finishing runs.
The USC Game That Changed Everything
If you want to know why Jeremiyah Love is a first-round lock in the 2026 NFL Draft, you have to look at the USC game. Most players have "career games" where they get lucky or break a couple of long ones. This wasn't that.
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Love ran for 228 yards. That’s the most by any Notre Dame player ever at Notre Dame Stadium. Think about the legends who have played in South Bend. He out-gained them all in a single afternoon. Rumor has it some of the trash talk from the USC sideline really set him off. He didn't just run past people; he ran through them.
It was the most aggressive we’ve ever seen him. He was stiff-arming safeties into the turf and hurdling linebackers like it was a track meet. That game alone probably added $5 million to his future rookie contract.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room: The "Small" Frame
Look, the biggest knock on Jeremiyah Love has always been his size. He’s listed at 6'0" and 214 pounds, which is decent, but some scouts think he looks "leaner" on the field. They worry about him being a "bell-cow" in the NFL.
Is it a valid concern? Sorta.
If you draft him to be a power back who carries the ball 25 times into a brick wall, yeah, he’s gonna break. But that’s not how the NFL works anymore. Look at guys like Jahmyr Gibbs or Christian McCaffrey. You don't need to be 230 pounds to be elite. You need to be a mismatch.
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Love’s receiving ability is arguably his best trait that people don't talk about enough. In 2025, he had 27 catches for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was lining up in the slot. He was running actual routes, not just catching dump-offs.
What Really Happened with the Bowl Opt-Out?
The 2025 season ended in a way that left a lot of Irish fans pretty salty. Notre Dame finished 10-2, but the committee left them at #11, just outside the 12-team playoff. Because the Irish didn't make the cut, Love and several other stars decided to opt out.
It was a "full team decision," according to Love himself at the Heisman ceremony in New York. They felt like they weren't the same team without the full roster, and honestly, can you blame a guy with Top-10 draft stock for not wanting to risk a leg in the Pop-Tarts Bowl?
Fans were divided. Some called it "quitting on the school," but most people who actually watch the sport understood. The injury to Jaylon Smith years ago is still burned into the brain of every Notre Dame fan. Getting that NFL bag is the priority once the championship is off the table.
Jeremiyah Love 2026 NFL Draft Projection
So, where does he land?
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Most mock drafts have him going somewhere in the top 15. The Minnesota Vikings at #11 feel like a "too good to be true" fit. Imagine him in an offense with Justin Jefferson. The New Orleans Saints at #8 are another name that keeps popping up.
He’s a "blue chip" prospect. Whether he goes at #5 or #15, he’s going to be a Day 1 starter.
- Strength: Elite acceleration and receiving versatility.
- Weakness: Needs to keep improving his pass protection (blitz pickup).
- NFL Comparison: A more powerful Jahmyr Gibbs or a faster Alvin Kamara.
Real Talk for Fantasy Football Managers
If you’re in a Dynasty league, you need to be selling the farm for the 1.01 or 1.02 to get this guy. Jeremiyah Love is a fantasy goldmine because he doesn't need 20 carries to be productive. He scores in the passing game. He breaks 50-yard runs out of nowhere.
He finished his college career without a single lost fumble. Read that again. In three years of high-level college football, the ball never left his hands. Coaches at the next level value that more than anything.
Final Thoughts on a South Bend Legend
Jeremiyah Love isn't just another talented kid who passed through Indiana. He’s the first Doak Walker winner in the history of one of the most prestigious programs in the world. He holds the record for the longest touchdown run in CFP history (that 98-yarder against Ohio State in '24 was legendary).
He came in as a four-star recruit with high expectations and somehow managed to exceed every single one of them. While we’ll miss seeing #4 in the backfield on Saturdays, it’s pretty clear he’s ready for the big stage.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the All-22 film: Don't just watch the highlights; look at his pass blocking against NC State to see his growth.
- Monitor the NFL Combine: If he runs a sub-4.35 (which he might), he’s a lock for the Top 10.
- Check the landing spot: If he goes to a team with a creative offensive coordinator (like Kevin O'Connell or Kyle Shanahan), he is an immediate Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite.