With the 2026 NFL Draft just under three months away and the college football season all but wrapped-save for the looming Super Bowl clash between the Seahawks and Patriots-NFL front offices are deep into evaluation mode. And one name that’s rapidly climbing up draft boards is Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. The junior running back isn’t just turning heads-he’s forcing scouts to re-evaluate what they thought they knew about this year’s class of playmakers.
Love is drawing serious Top 10 buzz, and for good reason. NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah currently projects him to go No. 8 overall-and he’s not alone. The consensus around the league is that Love isn’t just a standout back; he might be the most electric offensive weapon in this entire draft.
At 6-foot, 214 pounds, Love brings a rare blend of power and speed that jumps off the tape. He’s got breakaway wheels, the kind that can flip a game on a single snap.
But what really sets him apart is his versatility. Love’s not just a between-the-tackles bruiser-he’s a threat in the passing game, too.
In today’s NFL, where dual-threat backs are more valuable than ever, that skill set is gold.
His college production backs up the hype. Love closed out his Notre Dame career as one of the most decorated running backs in program history, earning Unanimous All-American honors-only the 38th player ever to do so in South Bend. That’s elite company.
Statistically, he was dominant across the board. Love ranked second in the nation in scoring and total touchdowns (21), third in rushing touchdowns (18), fourth in rushing yards (1,372), and fifth in both rushing yards per game (114.3) and yards per carry (6.9). Toss in 280 receiving yards and three scores through the air, and you’re looking at a complete back who can hurt you in multiple ways.
And here’s the kicker: he did all of that while splitting carries with another talented back, Jadarian Price, who himself topped 600 rushing yards. That context matters.
Love wasn’t just putting up numbers-he was doing it efficiently, in a shared backfield, and still managed to finish in the Top 3 nationally in scoring, total touchdowns, and scrimmage yards. No other player in the country can make that claim.
Scouts are already drawing comparisons to NFL stars like Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson-backs who’ve made an immediate impact thanks to their ability to contribute in both the running and passing game. Love fits that mold perfectly. He’s explosive in space, tough between the tackles, and has the hands and route-running savvy to stay on the field for all three downs.
For teams drafting in the Top 10, especially those looking to inject life into their offense, Love is going to be hard to pass up. He’s not just the best running back in this year’s class-he might be the most dynamic offensive player available.
As the draft countdown continues, expect Jeremiyah Love’s name to stay front and center. He’s got the tools, the tape, and the production. Now it’s just a matter of which team decides to make him their next franchise cornerstone.