Explosive Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love's Heisman-caliber season propels him into Mel Kiper's Top 10 projection for the 2026 NFL Draft.
There's only 92 days until the 2026 NFL Draft and now that the NFL season is winding down, it's time to take a deep dive into where some of the top collegiate football players will be playing at the next level. It's looking more likely that Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love likely won't make it down to the 18th pick after his spectacular 2025 season, and based on a recent mock draft from NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper, Love might not make it out of the Top 10.
"You could see it, right? The Chiefs make their first pick in the top 10 since they took Patrick Mahomes at No. 10 in 2017 and promptly use the selection to get a game-changing running back to pair with their star quarterback? Improving the run game could open up the offense in a big way. The Chiefs were in the bottom half of the league in yards per carry (4.2) and runs of 10-plus yards (44) this season, and Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both free agents. It's time to inject some juice into this ground attack. Ignoring positional value, Love is the second-best prospect on my Big Board. Vision. Burst. Power. Speed. Receiving skills. He has it all, and he ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns this past season." - Mel Kiper, ESPN
The 6-0, 214-pound running back ended his Notre Dame career as one of the most prolific ball carriers to line up in the backfield. He was named a Unanimous All-American and was only the 38th player in the history of the Fighting Irish football program to achieve that feat. His play style fits at the next level tremendously. Love has breakaway speed, is an exceptionally strong runner, can make tacklers miss in the open field and is also a dynamic weapon in the passing attack.
Love ended the regular season ranked 2nd nationally in scoring, 2nd in total points scored, 2nd in total touchdowns (21), 3rd in rushing touchdowns (18), 4th in rushing yards (1,372), 5th in rushing yards per game (114.3), 5th in yards per carry (6.9) and 5th in all purpose yards per game (137.67). The St. Louis native finished the regular season with 199 carries, 1,372 rushing yards, 27 receptions, 280 receiving yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns.
The St. Louis native was the only player in the country to rank in the Top 3 in scoring, total touchdowns and total scrimmage yards to finish the regular season. Love was also amongst six players in the FBS that rushed for at least 1,300 rushing yards this season, however, he was the only player on that list who shared a backfield with another running back, Jadarian Price, who rushed for at least 600 yards. His performance this season was truly special.
Love fits the mold of the current NFL running backs that are experiencing high levels of success in the league. Players like Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are strong comparisons for the former Notre Dame standout. Whichever team ends up with Love will be getting the most talented running back in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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