Height: 6-0

Weight: 214

Year: Junior

Pro Comparison:Alvin Kamara (with more speed)

2026 NFL Combine ResultsJeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, RBPros of Jeremiyah Love

Possesses outstanding long speed; easily able to erase angles of pursuit

Great change of direction skills; can make defenders miss in very tight quarters to create extra yardage

Potential difference maker out of the backfield; easy hands catcher and athleticism to create chunk plays as a receiver

Developing power profile; has shown the ability to create second effort runs and find hidden yardage

Really impressive reps as a pass protector; stays square, keeps a firm base, and blocks with extreme effort

Cons of Jeremiyah Love

Can run too upright at times; zaps his overall power profile

Needs to be more patient at times; either hits runs too quickly or tries to bounce early instead of letting things develop

Track record in short yardage is worrisome; needs to learn to finish more runs on money downs

Has had some nagging injuries over the last couple of years (lower body specific)

Background 

Love prepped at Christian Brothers College in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was considered to be a consensus four-star player in the 2023 recruiting class. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Love ended up ranked as the No. 79 overall player, the No. 5 running back, and the No. 2 player from the state of Missouri for the 2023 class. He chose Notre Dame over a long list of offers, including Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Michigan, LSU, Penn State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Miami, Indiana, USC, Utah, Auburn, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Louisville, Arkansas, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, Kansas, Boston College, Stanford, Syracuse, and Purdue, among others.

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The St. Louis native ended his three-year Notre Dame career as one of the best running backs that the Fighting Irish have ever had. In those three years, Love has managed to rush for 2,882 yards and 36 touchdowns. Love also hauled in 63 receptions for 594 yards and six more scores, while averaging a stellar 6.7 yards per carry during his career. The All-American selection became the first Notre Dame to win the Doak Walker Award during the 2025 season, while also being a Heisman Trophy finalist. Love bypassed his final year of eligibility to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

Love was born on May 31, 2005, meaning he will be turning 21 years old after the draft. Enjoys anime and manga during his free time. He launched the Jeremonstar project this past offseason, a comic that is based on his own life.

Player Evaluation

After backing up Audric Estime as a true freshman, Love proceeded to put together one of the most dominant two-year stretches for a running back in Notre Dame history. Love’s trademark is the big runs, where he showcases home run speed with an uncanny ability to find open space. His combination of short-area explosiveness and quickness for a running back who is 6-0 and 214 pounds. Once Love is able to break the second level, he is rarely ever caught. A bit of a leggy runner, Love has the talent to make defenders miss in very tight spaces. His stop-start and change of direction skills are breathtaking at times. Love is a natural receiver out of the backfield, presenting even more upside on third down. Add in the fact that Love is also a notable pass protector, and we have a three-down threat who has the ability to become one of the best all-purpose running backs in the NFL.

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The biggest question surrounding Love is going to be his overall power profile and short-yardage ability. While he is a sturdy runner, Love has struggled to convert a lot of those short-yardage opportunities, including in big moments. Love does run a bit high, which can compromise his overall power profile at times. As a runner. Love will also need to run more patiently at times. He has a bad habit of either bouncing too quickly or hitting a hole too quickly without letting things develop in front of him. Everything that Love needs to improve on is easily fixable. From a pure talent perspective, he has it all.

Without any further improvement, Love will become one of the better home run threats on the next level. If he is able to develop those finer points of playing the position, Love could become one of the best running backs in the NFL before too long. This is a rare athlete for the position who also plays a physical brand of football. That marriage has special written all over it. There is no limit to just how good Love can become down the road.

A to Z Rankings 

A to Z Big Board Ranking: 9th overall, RB1

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A to Z Draft Grade: 9.18/10.00

Related: Trinidad Chambliss 2026 NFL Draft: scouting report for Ole Miss, QB

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL Draft section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.