Image source: Rick Kimball/ISD
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is officially headed to the NFL, and his timing could not be better. The Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman Trophy finalist announced his decision to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, ending a historic college career that has already sparked strong interest from one of the league’s most valuable franchises.
Jeremiyah Love shared the news in a direct message posted on Instagram, staying true to the personality he referenced in his announcement.
“Everyone who knows me knows I believe in being open and direct. With that in mind, I’ve decided to declare for the NFL Draft,” Love shared.
The announcement came shortly after Notre Dame’s season ended without a bowl or playoff appearance. In his statement, Jeremiyah Love thanked the university and his coaching staff, saying he felt fully prepared for the next step in his football journey.
Jeremiyah Love leaves South Bend as one of the most accomplished players in program history. During the 2025 season, he rushed for more than 100 yards in six games and scored a touchdown in every contest except one. His performance earned him the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back and a third-place finish in Heisman voting.
NFL evaluators are clearly impressed. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Love as the No. 5 overall prospect on his latest draft board and projected him to go 11th overall to the Minnesota Vikings in his first mock draft. Pro Football Focus graded Love at 95.2 since 2024, the highest mark among all FBS running backs during that span, and also projected him to Minnesota. NFL Mocks and The Sporting News echoed that fit, pointing to the Vikings’ need for a dependable, durable running back.
The connection makes sense. Minnesota’s offense struggled for consistency this season, often bogged down by unstable quarterback play. Still, the Vikings remain committed to J.J. McCarthy, who is entering a four-year rookie contract worth just over $21 million. The organization’s focus appears to be surrounding him with better support, not replacing him.
With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison already leading the receiving group, the run game has become the missing piece. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason provided serviceable production, but Jones is over 30, and Mason is viewed as steady rather than game-changing. Under head coach Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota ranked 29th out of 32 teams in EPA per rush, despite experimenting with multiple backfield approaches.
Jeremiyah Love brings a complete all-around profile. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 214 pounds, he has the build teams look for at the NFL level. He runs with strength, shows reliable hands as a receiver, and can be trusted in pass blocking. During the 2025 season, he logged 199 rushing attempts for 1,372 yards and scored 18 times on the ground, posting an impressive 6.9 yards per carry. He also added 27 receptions for 280 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
His breakout moment came against USC, when he rushed for 228 yards on 24 carries. The only game he did not score was the season opener against Miami.
Over his final two seasons, Jeremiyah Love totaled 3,014 yards from scrimmage and 40 touchdowns, finishing eight scores ahead of the next closest player nationally. He also led the FBS with eight plays of 20 yards or more, split evenly between runs and receptions.
For a Vikings team seeking balance and reliability, Jeremiyah Love fits both the present need and the long-term plan. As he closed his announcement, Love made it clear he is ready for what comes next.
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