Jeremiyah Love, Marcus Freeman tease future of Notre Dame RB after receiving Doak Walker Award

For the first time in Notre Dame history, a player on the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. Jeremiyah Love brought home the honor Friday night, one day before he attends the Heisman Trophy ceremony as a finalist.

But with the Fighting Irish’s season over after the program chose not to play in a bowl game, Love could be looking at the end of his college career. But his head coach Marcus Freeman joked he might try to bring his star player back to South Bend for another year.

Freeman joined the College Football Awards show on ESPN after the announcement that Love won the Doak Walker Award. He spoke about the importance of the standout running back to the Notre Dame offense, but also about how Love grew as a person. Then, Freeman teased conversations about Love’s future.

“I think it brings a lot of confidence to everybody in our program, that you know when you have that guy on the field and you can give him the ball, there’s multiple different ways that he can take the ball into the end zone,” Freeman said.

“I’m just so proud of him. The football player he’s developed into, but more importantly, the man he’s become. Now, I’ve got to convince him to come back for one more year.”

Jeremiyah Love: ‘I love Notre Dame so much’

Jeremiyah Love emerged as a focal point of the Notre Dame offense as the Fighting Irish rattled off a 10-2 record in 2025. He took 199 carries for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground while adding 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns in the air. His 21 total touchdowns set a new single-season program record, passing Jerome Bettis in the process.

But Love is also likely to be one of the top prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. That’s why he might have played his last game in a Notre Dame uniform. As he looked back, he acknowledged the meaning of the last three years while acknowledging the looming decision about his future.

“It’s sad, man,” Love said. “I love Notre Dame so much. Just thinking about it, potentially my last time having a gold helmet on, it’s sad. I’m gonna miss the times this season I got to put that helmet on and go out there and play with my brothers. Definitely a sad feeling, but I’m going to remember it. I’m going to remember the good things and just keep it moving, man.

“I’ve got to keep it moving, got to go get prepared for the next opportunity. It’s sad thinking about that could be my last time wearing a gold helmet. I’m going to keep it moving.”