Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, the Doak Walker Award winner this year as the nation's top running back, announced on Tuesday night he was entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love was clearly the best running back in college football this year, and he had the stats and awards to prove it. Now he's ready for the next level.
Love announced on Tuesday night that he's headed for the NFL, announcing on social media that he's going to be a part orf the 2026 NFL Draft.
"I know I am prepared for this moment because of the amazing people I have in my life and I want to thank them now," Love said in his Instagram post announcing his decision. "First and foremost, I want to thank God. Without him, none of this would be possible.
"My family, specifically my parents, have been so instrumental in my success, not only on the football field, but in life. They have been patient and loving, while also challenging me each step of the way, pushing me to always be authentically me. They are my why."
Here's the story from Irish Breakdown publisher Bryan Driskell.
The 6-foot, 214-pound junior from St. Louis, Mo. isNo. 3 in Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest Big Board for ESPN, and ESPN's Field Yates has him going 14th to the Kansas City Chiefs in his latest mock draft.
Love scored 21 touchdowns in 2025, passing Jerome Bettis (1991) for the most in a season in Notre Dame history. The junior also ended the regular season fourth nationally with 1,372 rushing yards and third with 18 rushing touchdowns, averaging 6.89 yards per carry.
He finished third in Heisman voting behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia. Love won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back, the first Notre Dame player to win the award.
Love's college career is already over because Notre Dame (10-2) didn't make the College Football Playoff and chose not to play in a bowl game.