Jeremiyah Love 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Notre Dame RB Rising Up Boards

Jeremiyah Love enters the 2025 college football season as one of the top running back prospects in the country, coming off a breakout sophomore campaign that helped power Notre Dame to the national title game. He rushed for 1,125 yards on just 163 carries (6.9 YPC) with 17 touchdowns, adding 237 receiving yards and 2 more scores. His electric speed, versatility, and violent running style have scouts buzzing as he eyes a potential first-round NFL Draft rise. At 6’0”, 212 pounds, Love brings an ideal blend of track speed and physicality to the backfield. A former state sprint champion in Missouri, he routinely rips off chunk gains and thrives in space. With an aggressive temperament, open-field wiggle, and emerging three-down value, Love is firmly on the radar as one of the top offensive weapons in the 2026 NFL Draft. Jeremiyah Love Measurables Height: 6’0” Weight: 212 lbs Class: Junior Hometown: St. Louis, MO ✅ Strengths Explosive Long Speed – Rare breakaway gear. Posted multiple 60+ yard TD runs in 2024, including a 98-yard score in the College Football Playoff. Legitimate track athlete with 10.7 100m speed. Contact Balance & Power Finish – Plays bigger than listed size. Absorbs hits, runs through arm tackles, and routinely finishes with physicality. Stiff-arm weapon stands out on film. Spatial Awareness & Vision – Shows advanced feel for manipulating defenders. Presses gaps with patience and makes sudden decisions when holes develop. Understands leverage and angles. Receiving Ability & RAC Threat – Comfortable in space with soft hands and burst after the catch. Can split out wide or run screens; not just a check-down option. Run Versatility – Effective in zone and gap schemes. Can bounce outside or work inside with footwork and toughness. Strong production despite shared backfield and heavy rotation. ⚠️ Areas for Improvement Pass Protection Technique  – Willing blocker but inconsistent in anchoring and diagnosing blitzes. Needs to sharpen fundamentals to stay on the field for all three downs. Pad Level in Traffic  – Occasionally runs too upright, making him easier to stall in tight quarters. Needs to lower pads more consistently through contact. Limited Receiving Reps  – Has shown flashes but only 28 receptions in 2024. Must expand route tree and prove more value as a dynamic third-down option. Ideal NFL Scheme Fit Love projects best in a wide-zone or spread-based offense that values explosive plays and open-field speed. Teams like the Dolphins, 49ers, Lions, or Ravens would maximize his one-cut ability and vertical burst. NFL Comparison Nick Chubb – Explosive, low-center runner with violent finish and home-run ability. A tone-setter who can carry the load. 📈 2026 NFL Draft Outlook Jeremiyah Love currently holds a Near Elite grade on the Football Scout 365 scale and is trending as a likely first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. With his rare blend of long speed, contact balance, and explosive playmaking, Love has a legitimate shot to be the first running back taken in the class. If he improves his third-down reliability and continues to produce at a high level, he could become Notre Dame’s highest-drafted running back since Jerome Bettis.