Notre Dame's explosive running back tops ESPN's elite NFL Draft prospect list, joined by a dominant receiver, highlighting their road to pro football.
The NFL Draft will be here before you know it, with the combine taking place later this month. Ahead of the combine, ESPN writer Jordan Reid put out his Top 50 NFL Draft Prospects after the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl. Two Notre Dame standouts from 2025 found their way on this list after what they did this past season and it starts with their electric running back who Reid named the No. 1 prospect in this year's draft.
1. Jeremiyah Love - Running Back
"Love is an explosive-play generator whose versatility and explosiveness provide an immediate boost to any offense. He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025 and is a slippery runner who can twist and turn his frame to squeeze through tight creases. Love gets up to speed quickly, and his 39 runs of 10-plus yards last season were fourth most among FBS running backs. His smooth, effortless style is reminiscent of James Cook III, and Love can become a similar mismatch option for a creative playcaller." - Jordan Reid, 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.
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.
No. 41 Malachi Fields - Wide Receiver
"Fields had 36 receptions for 630 yards and five touchdowns in his only season at Notre Dame after consecutive 800-yard seasons at Virginia. He plays to his impressive size and build, understanding how to properly use his frame. Fields is excellent using his hands when challenged at the line and knows how to maneuver through tight coverage. He's a true boundary "X" receiver who can make tough catches underneath while being capable of stretching the field (he averaged 17.5 yards per catch last season)." - Jordan Reid, ESPN
The 6-4, 223-pound receiver finished the 2025 season with 36 receptions, 630 receiving yards, averaged 17.5 yards per catch and had five receiving touchdowns. In his career, Fields accumulated 165 receptions, 2,479 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. He's one of the most productive receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft and is a physical specimen.
Fields was brought into South Bend to be their primary boundary receiver and quickly became one of quarterback CJ Carr's go-to targets throughout the season. He helped jumpstart the offense in the second half against Miami and had one of the best games of his career against Pitt on the road hauling in two touchdown grabs and one of the best catches of the 2025 season.
Reid went on to rank the top five prospects in every position group. Notre Dame led the way at the running back position with Love and fellow running back Jadarian Price holding down the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. Despite putting Fields as the No. 41 overall prospect, he didn't crack Reid's top five receiver prospects in this year's draft class. Love and Price were the only former Fighting Irish players to be listed atop of their position groups.
Hopefully, after a strong performance at the NFL combine, Fields and other former Notre Dame players can continue to raise their draft stock. The Virginia native was recently listed as a projected first round pick by Matt Miller at ESPN after his performance at the Senior Bowl. A quality combine performance might push him to be a day-one pick.
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