{"id":214457,"date":"2025-07-17T14:58:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T14:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/214457\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T14:58:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T14:58:08","slug":"pff-ranks-notre-dames-love-as-top-running-back-for-2026-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/214457\/","title":{"rendered":"PFF ranks Notre Dame’s Love as top running back for 2026 NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love partnered with @caresource<\/a> to put on a youth football camp for ~200 kids at Washington High School in South Bend. Very engaging with the campers. Making them feel seen.<\/p>\n

Love to see the best in the game giving back to the local community. pic.twitter.com\/6hJ2drix0O<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) July 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Star Notre Dame<\/a> running back Jeremiyah Love faces high expectations heading into the 2025 season after his breakout campaign last fall helped the Fighting Irish<\/a> on their College Football Playoff run<\/a>. Now, another projected strong season is sure to turn the heads of NFL personnel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In its newly released “2026 NFL Draft: Preseason Running Back Rankings,” Pro Football Focus has Love ranked at No. 1, calling him the “jewel of the running back class.”<\/p>\n

The 6-foot, 206-pound junior ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024, and he caught 28 passes for 237 yards and two receiving scores. Included in those numbers is his school record-tying 98-yard touchdown run<\/a> on the third play of the first-round CFP game against Indiana.<\/p>\n

A former high school track state champion, Love’s speed is obvious on tape, but he also\u00a0has the ability to force defenders to miss tackles, gain extra yards after contact and catch the ball out of the backfield.<\/p>\n

There is absolutely a strong possibility Love is the first RB off the board<\/a> next spring in the 2026 NFL<\/a> Draft.<\/p>\n

ND opens the new season at Miami on Sunday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium (ABC). It will mark the 28th meeting between the two programs, with the Fighting Irish owning a record of 18-8-1 in the all-time series against the Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

Contact\/Follow us\u00a0@IrishWireND<\/a>\u00a0on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.<\/p>\n

Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave<\/a><\/p>\n