Notre Dame's explosive running back, Jeremiyah Love, is projected as a top-five pick. His dual-threat ability offers immediate impact for a struggling offense.
We're only 37 days away from the 2026 NFL Draft and there's a handful of former Notre Dame standouts who have high hopes of getting taken. Amongst those is former star running back Jeremiyah Love who had one of the most prolific careers of any Fighting Irish tailback.
He's elected to sit out of Notre Dame's Pro Day which takes place a week from now on March 24, but he's shown all he has to. For ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., there isn't any more he needs to see from the St. Louis native.
"Here is where things get interesting," Kiper explained in his latest NFL mock draft. "We haven't seen a running back go in the top four since Saquon Barkley (No. 2 in 2018), and the Titans certainly have a long list of issues -- even after aggressively spending in free agency last week."
"But Tennessee is committed to boosting the offense around second-year quarterback Cam Ward, and Love would take the run game to another level while also serving as a dynamic pass catcher," Kiper continued. "His game features 4.36 speed, excellent vision, run-you-over power and soft hands. Love would be an immediate upgrade over Tony Pollard for new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll."
The Titans haven't had an impact in the run game since former running back Derrick Henry headed to Baltimore. The 6-0, 212-pound running back is the type of high-level talent Tennessee needs in the backfield alongside Ward, their second-year quarterback. The St. Louis native ended his career in college as the 2025 Doak Walker Award Winner and a Heisman finalist. It's likely he'll have the same impact at the next level for a team desperately in need of a rushing attack.
Love is the certified No. 1 running back in the 2026 draft class and likely won't make it out of the Top 10 draft picks. He put on a strong performance at the combine clocking an official 4.36 40-yard dash time and showed out during the on-field drills putting his athleticism, explosion and abilities as a pass catcher on full display.
The St. Louis native 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 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. Love will become a franchise player for whatever organization elects to draft him.
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