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Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love declares for 2026 NFL Draft

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz12/17/25NickSchultz_7

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced via social media. A Heisman Trophy finalist this season, he is considered one of the top prospects on the board.

Love made Notre Dame history this year with 21 total touchdowns, moving him past Jerome Bettis for the single-season program record. It was part of a career year for the Fighting Irish star, who became the first player in program history to win the Doak Walker Award.

Although Marcus Freeman teased he’d try to convince Love to come back for another year, he is now off to the next level. He penned a letter to Notre Dame fans about his decision as he embarks on his next step.

“Those who know me best know I’m very direct, so I am going to get straight to the point and share that I have made the decision to declare for the NFL Draft,” Love wrote. “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 emerged as a focal point of the Notre Dame offense throughout the last two years, including in 2025 as the Fighting Irish rattled off a 10-2 record. 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.

Those numbers came after Love’s breakout 2024 campaign when he helped Notre Dame to the national championship game. He ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding 237 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the passing game.

Jeremiyah Love: ‘I love Notre Dame so much’

In addition to winning the Doak Walker Award in 2025, Jeremiyah Love also finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind winner Fernando Mendoza and Diego Pavia. But as the awards came in, Freeman teased Love about his looming draft decision, though the standout running back made it clear where he was leaning.

“I love Notre Dame so much,” Love said during the College Football Awards ceremony. “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.”

As he heads to the 2026 NFL Draft, Love is sure to be one of the top prospects come April. He came in as ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s No. 3 overall player on his updated Big Board released Tuesday.