Notre Dame Star RB Jeremiyah Love Declares for 2026 NFL Draft After Stellar Junior Season
Jeremiyah Love is headed to the NFL.
The Notre Dame running back, who just wrapped up one of the most dynamic careers in recent Irish memory, officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on Tuesday night. With the Irish opting out of a bowl game following their exclusion from the College Football Playoff, Love’s announcement marks the end of his three-year run in South Bend - and what a run it was.
A Heisman Trophy finalist this season, Love finishes his junior year with a résumé that jumps off the page. He rushed 199 times for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding another 280 yards and three scores through the air on 27 catches. That’s not just production - that’s versatility, consistency, and big-play ability all rolled into one.
In a statement posted to social media, Love reflected on his time at Notre Dame with gratitude. “Heading off to college, there are many uncertainties, but I knew Notre Dame was the perfect home for me,” he wrote. “I am especially grateful to my coaches for pushing me outside of my comfort zone while allowing me to be me.”
That growth was evident on the field. Love topped 100 rushing yards in six of Notre Dame’s 12 games this season, and he found the end zone in every game but one - the season-opening loss to Miami, which ultimately proved costly in the playoff race. Both Notre Dame and Miami finished 10-2, but the Hurricanes got the nod for the final playoff spot thanks to the head-to-head win.
Still, Love made the most of his opportunities, and few performances this season matched what he did on October 18 against USC. In one of the most dominant outings of the year, Love shredded the Trojans for 228 yards on 24 carries, powering Notre Dame to a statement win that kept their playoff hopes alive at the time.
His 2025 campaign followed up a breakout sophomore season in 2024, when he rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns on 163 carries. Over the course of his career, Love averaged a staggering 6.7 yards per carry and totaled 42 touchdowns - a testament to both his explosiveness and his ability to shoulder a heavy workload.
Now, the focus shifts to the next chapter. Love is widely projected as a potential first-round pick, with some buzz placing him inside the top 15. Several teams are expected to be in the market for a running back in the 2026 draft, and Love’s name is already being linked to the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, New York Jets, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans.
For NFL teams looking for a complete back - one who can run between the tackles, hit the edge with speed, catch passes out of the backfield, and handle the spotlight - Jeremiyah Love checks every box. His college career may be over, but the best may still be ahead.