Jeremiyah Love Deserves a Seat in New York-And Maybe More
Jeremiyah Love isn’t just another name in Notre Dame lore-he’s becoming one of the names. The junior running back has powered his way into the national spotlight with a late-season surge that’s impossible to ignore, and while the Heisman conversation has narrowed to a pair of quarterbacks, Love's case is as compelling as any back we’ve seen in recent memory.
Let’s break it down.
A Back Built for the Big Stage
At 6'0", 214 pounds, and just 20 years old, Love checks every box physically. But it’s what he does with those tools that’s turning heads.
He's racked up 1,372 rushing yards on 199 carries-good for a blistering 6.9 yards per carry-and punched in 18 touchdowns on the ground. Add in 280 receiving yards and three more scores through the air, and you’ve got a complete back who can hurt defenses in every way imaginable.
And this isn’t empty production padded by garbage time or stat-chasing. His 94-yard touchdown run against Boston College was a pure track-meet moment, a reminder that once he hits the second level, you’re not catching him.
Then there’s the 56-yard spin-cycle special at Pitt and the 48-yard run against Navy, where he somehow stayed upright after landing on a defender. These aren’t just big plays-they’re signature plays, the kind that stick in voters’ minds.
The Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story-But They Still Impress
Now, if Love were a one-man show in the Irish backfield, his numbers might be even gaudier. But Notre Dame’s offense is deep-really deep.
Jadarian Price has 113 carries for 674 yards himself and is projected to be an early-round NFL Draft pick. And then there’s quarterback CJ Carr, who threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns this season and was in the Heisman mix at one point as well.
This isn’t a team that leans on one guy to carry the load. It’s a balanced, multi-dimensional offense that spreads the wealth-and that makes Love’s production even more impressive. He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s doing it while sharing the spotlight in one of the most complete offenses in college football.
For context, Ashton Jeanty had 374 carries during his Heisman campaign last year. Love?
He’s done more with nearly half the workload. That efficiency matters.
Legacy Moments and Heisman-Worthy Highlights
Let’s not forget the moments that helped build the Jeremiyah Love legend. His 98-yard touchdown run against Indiana in last year’s historic on-campus playoff game?
That was the kind of play that gets replayed for years. And his gritty two-yard score in the Orange Bowl against Penn State?
Small on paper, huge in impact.
While those plays aren’t part of this year’s Heisman resume, they’ve helped elevate Love’s national profile. And this season, he’s delivered again and again.
He’s been the kind of player who makes you stop scrolling and hit replay. The kind of player who makes you feel like you’re watching something special.
The Stanford Setback
Love’s Heisman push hit a speed bump late in the season when he suffered a rib injury early in the game against Stanford. He scored a two-yard touchdown before exiting, but missed most of the contest. In his absence, Price and Aneyas Williams combined for over 100 yards and three touchdowns, showing off just how deep this Irish backfield really is.
That injury may have taken him out of the Heisman driver’s seat, but it shouldn’t erase the body of work he’s put together. He’s been consistently excellent all year-and when healthy, he’s been electric.
Heisman Race: A Two-QB Sprint?
Right now, the Heisman race looks like it’s coming down to Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin. With #1 Ohio State and #2 Indiana set to clash in the Big Ten Championship, the winner of that game may very well take home the hardware.
It’s a quarterback-heavy award-and that’s nothing new. But if voters are looking for the most dynamic, game-breaking player in college football, they’d be hard-pressed to find someone more deserving than Jeremiyah Love.
Looking Ahead
Love is expected to declare for the NFL Draft, giving up a year of eligibility. And he’ll be one of the top backs off the board. That much seems certain.
But before he moves on to Sundays, there’s still a chance for more Saturdays. If Notre Dame reaches the College Football Playoff, fans will get a few more chances to watch Love do what he does best: torch defenses, break ankles, and remind everyone why he was must-see TV all season long.
Whether or not he hears his name called at the Heisman ceremony, Jeremiyah Love has already left his mark on Notre Dame-and on college football. His blend of speed, power, and vision is rare.
His highlight reel? Already legendary.
And if you’ve been watching closely, you know: this kid isn’t just good. He’s special.