Jeremiyah Love Makes History as Notre Dame’s First Doak Walker Award Winner
Jeremiyah Love just etched his name into Notre Dame lore - and he did it in style. The junior running back capped off a monster season by taking home the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the top running back in college football.
For a program with as much history as Notre Dame, it’s hard to believe this is the first time one of their backs has won the award. But Love didn’t just win it - he owned it.
After receiving the honor, Love reflected on what it means to carry that torch.
“There’s a lot of weight that comes with that,” Love said. “I’m setting the standard for running backs here at Notre Dame. I’m just hoping the next guys that come after me can set a higher standard than I did.”
That’s the kind of mindset that defines legacy players - not just chasing greatness, but raising the bar for everyone who follows.
A Record-Breaking Season in South Bend
Love’s 2025 campaign wasn’t just good - it was historic. He shattered the school’s single-season touchdown record with 21 total scores, tied the program mark for rushing touchdowns with 18, and set the single-game rushing record at Notre Dame Stadium with a jaw-dropping 228-yard performance against USC. That’s not just production - that’s dominance.
And when it comes to explosive plays, Love has a flair for the dramatic. He became the first running back in school history with multiple 90-yard runs, the second coming on a 94-yard sprint to the end zone against Boston College. Plays like that don’t just flip a field - they flip momentum, and oftentimes, entire games.
On the year, Love racked up 1,372 rushing yards on 199 carries, averaging nearly 7 yards per touch on the ground. Add in 280 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air, and you’ve got a complete back who can hurt defenses in every phase.
The NFL Awaits - But Notre Dame Hopes for One More Chapter
With a résumé like this, it’s no surprise that the NFL is calling. Love is widely expected to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, and after a season like this, his stock couldn’t be higher. Still, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman isn’t ready to let go just yet.
“Now I gotta convince him to come back for one more year,” Freeman joked on ESPN after the award ceremony.
It’s a long shot, but you can’t blame Freeman for trying. Love has been that important - not just to the offense, but to the identity of this Irish team. He’s the kind of player who shifts expectations, who makes you believe every handoff could go the distance.
What’s Next?
Notre Dame isn’t playing in a bowl game this year, but that doesn’t mean Love’s story in South Bend is finished just yet. There’s still the Heisman Trophy conversation, and while the competition is steep, his numbers - and his impact - speak volumes.
Whether he plays another down for the Irish or not, Jeremiyah Love has already left a legacy. First Doak Walker winner in school history.
Record-setter. Game-changer.
And maybe, just maybe, a future Heisman winner.
No matter what comes next, one thing’s for sure: Notre Dame had something special in the backfield this season - and the rest of the country knew it.