When the Pittsburgh Steelers have been at their best-when they’ve truly looked like the Steelers-it’s been because of a punishing ground game. Not as a side dish, but as the main course.
Think back to the franchise’s golden eras: there was always a back who could wear down defenses, control the clock, and impose his will for four quarters. That identity has drifted in recent years, but Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love might just be the guy to bring it back.
Love isn’t your typical college back who racks up stats on sheer volume. His game is built on efficiency, precision, and a deep understanding of what it takes to run between the tackles in the NFL.
He’s the kind of runner who plays chess at the line of scrimmage-reading leverage, pressing gaps with discipline, and waiting for linebackers to commit before hitting the accelerator. That type of patience isn’t just rare, it’s essential in today’s pro schemes where timing and rhythm often matter more than improvisation.
Physically, Love checks the boxes for AFC North football. He runs behind his pads, keeps his balance through contact, and finishes runs with purpose.
You don’t see him going down on first contact very often-arm tackles just aren’t enough. And those extra yards after contact?
They’re not just nice-to-haves. They’re the kind of plays that keep drives alive, chew up clock, and demoralize defenses.
What makes Love especially intriguing for Pittsburgh is his versatility. Notre Dame didn’t pigeonhole him into one scheme or style-they asked him to do it all: inside zone, outside zone, counter, power, split flow.
And he handled it all with confidence and consistency. He’s decisive when the play calls for it, patient when it doesn’t.
That adaptability means he’s not just a fit for what Pittsburgh is running now-he’s a fit for whatever they might evolve into, regardless of who’s calling plays.
And while he’s built for physicality, Love’s got juice, too. He can hit the hole with burst and punish defenses that take poor angles with chunk plays.
He’s not one to dance behind the line-he gets vertical in a hurry. That blend of physicality and explosiveness is exactly what you want in a back who can wear down a defense and then flip the field in a blink.
In the passing game, Love brings more than just check-down ability. He tracks the ball naturally, catches with his hands, and gets upfield quickly.
He wasn’t heavily featured as a receiver at Notre Dame, but the tools are there for him to be a factor on third downs. And perhaps just as important-he can pass protect.
He’s not afraid to step into the fire and take on blitzers, which is the kind of trait that earns instant trust from coaches and quarterbacks alike.
Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t about comparing him physically to Jerome Bettis. Love isn’t built like The Bus.
But the comparison is more about what he represents. Bettis was the heartbeat of those Steelers teams-setting a tone, controlling the game, and giving the offense its identity.
Love has that same potential, updated for the modern NFL. He may not weigh 250 pounds, but he plays with the same intent: punish defenses, control tempo, and close out games.
If the Steelers pull the trigger on Jeremiyah Love at pick No. 21, it wouldn’t just be about adding a talented back. It would be a statement.
A declaration that Pittsburgh is returning to its roots-winning in the trenches, thriving in December, and dictating the terms of engagement. Love isn’t just another name on a draft board.
He’s a reminder of what Steeler football looks like when it’s done right.