Jeremiyah Love's Draft Stock Soars After Blazing Combine; Klatt Forecasts NFL Stardom
Jeremiyah Love's Draft Stock Soars After Blazing Combine; Klatt Forecasts NFL Stardom
As the college football world shifts its focus toward the 2026 NFL Draft, few players have seen their stock rise as precipitously as Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Known for his explosive playmaking and game-breaking speed during his tenure in South Bend, Love has officially caught the eye of national analysts. FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt has gone as far as to tab the Fighting Irish standout as a primary candidate for 2026 stardom, highlighting him as a unique talent who could redefine the running back position at the professional level.
Love's recent performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis only served to validate the hype. The Doak Walker Award winner posted a blistering unofficial 4.36-second 40-yard dash, the second-fastest time among an historically deep running back group. This performance, coupled with his high-tier athleticism scores, has solidified his status as the top draft-eligible back in the country. Scouts have noted that Love’s lateral agility and pass-catching ability make him an ideal three-down back for the modern NFL game.
A Historic 2025 Campaign with the Fighting Irish
Love enters the draft process following a 2025 season that will be remembered as one of the greatest individual efforts in Notre Dame history. Leading the Irish to a 10-2 record, Love amassed 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries. His impact extended beyond the ground game, as he hauled in 27 receptions for 280 yards and three additional scores. This dual-threat production earned him a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist, where he ultimately finished third in the voting.
Notre Dame's success in 2025 was largely anchored by Love’s consistency. He recorded at least one touchdown in 11 of the team’s 12 games and surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark six times. His career-best performance came against USC in October, where he shredded the Trojans for 228 yards on 24 carries. By the time he declared for the draft, Love had moved into seventh place on the program's all-time rushing list with 2,882 yards, cementing his legacy as a legendary figure under Marcus Freeman.
Draft Outlook: A Top-10 Lock?
The conversation around Love has moved from "if" he will be a first-rounder to "how high" he can go. Early mock drafts, including those from FOX Sports and CBS Sports, frequently place Love in the top 10 overall selections. The Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers have both been linked to the explosive back, with Love confirming a formal meeting with Pittsburgh during the Combine. Analysts suggest that while most running backs are devalued in the first round, Love’s elite testing data and proven production make him a "blue-chip" exception.
The Steelers, in particular, are reportedly looking for a dynamic runner to pair with Jaylen Warren if veteran Kenneth Gainwell moves on. Love's ability to create explosive plays out of nothing fits the physical identity Pittsburgh often seeks. "He’s the best running back we've seen in years," noted one anonymous scout during the Combine, echoing the sentiments that have made Love the centerpiece of the 2026 offensive draft class.
Transitioning the Irish Backfield
While Love prepares for life in the NFL, the Fighting Irish are left with a significant void to fill in 2026. Sophomore Aneyas Williams is the presumptive heir to the backfield, coming off a season where he averaged a staggering 9.3 yards per carry in limited action. Notre Dame's 2026 spring roster also highlights incoming talent like early enrollee tight end Preston Fryzel and the development of young quarterback CJ Carr, who will be tasked with leading an offense that no longer features its primary security blanket in Love.
Despite the departure, the program’s culture under Freeman remains strong. The Irish are coming off a top-10 finish and are expected to be major players in the 2026 College Football Playoff race. For Love, the focus remains on his pro day and individual workouts, but his impact on the Notre Dame program—and his soaring draft stock—remains the talk of the off-season.
