Why Jeremiyah Love Deserves to Be the First Running Back Off the Board in the 2026 NFL Draft

📸 Credit: https://www.wndu.com/2025/04/03/love-gets-love-espn/

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, few prospects generate as much excitement as Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love. The 20-year-old running back declared for the draft on December 16, 2025, after a stellar junior season that solidified his status as one of college football's elite talents. With a rare blend of speed, power, vision, and versatility, Love isn't just a first-round caliber player—he's the consensus RB1 in this class and a potential top-10 pick. Here's why he should be the first running back selected.

From High School Phenom to Notre Dame Star

Jeremiyah Love arrived at Notre Dame as a four-star recruit from St. Louis, Missouri, in the 2023 class, bringing with him a track background that included a 10.76-second 100-meter dash. As a freshman, he played behind Audric Estime (a 2024 fifth-round pick), but still flashed potential with 71 carries for 385 yards and one touchdown, plus eight receptions for 77 yards and another score. It was a solid debut, but nothing compared to the explosion that followed.

In 2024, as a sophomore, Love took over as the feature back and dominated, rushing 163 times for 1,125 yards (6.9 YPC) and 17 touchdowns while adding 28 catches for 237 yards and two more scores. He helped propel Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff. Undeterred, Love elevated his game in 2025, amassing 199 carries for 1,372 yards (again 6.9 YPC) and 18 rushing touchdowns, complemented by 27 receptions for 280 yards and three receiving touchdowns. His totals: over 2,882 career rushing yards, 36 rushing TDs, and 63 receptions for 594 yards with six receiving TDs. These numbers earned him the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back, a third-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting, and unanimous All-American honors. 

Love's production wasn't padded against weak opponents; he consistently delivered in big moments, breaking tackles (forcing 60 missed tackles in 2025 alone) and averaging 4.5 yards after contact per carry. His PFF rushing grade of 93.7 underscores his efficiency and dominance. 

Elite Athleticism and Skill Set for the Modern NFL

At 6'0" and 214 pounds, Love possesses the ideal build for a three-down NFL back—thick enough to handle inside runs but agile enough to threaten the edge. His verified 4.40-second 40-yard dash translates to game-changing speed, allowing him to turn small creases into explosive gains. Scouts rave about his patience, vision, and burst: he waits for blocks to develop, reads defenses instinctively, and accelerates like few others. Love's contact balance is exceptional; he absorbs hits, stays upright, and forces missed tackles with jukes, hurdles, or sheer power. 

What sets Love apart is his versatility. He's not just a rusher—he's a reliable receiver out of the backfield, with soft hands and route-running ability that make him a mismatch nightmare. In pass protection, he identifies blitzers and holds his ground, a crucial skill for rookie backs aiming for immediate playing time. This all-around profile fits perfectly in today's pass-heavy NFL, where running backs like Christian McCaffrey thrive as dual-threat weapons.

Favorable Comparisons to NFL Stars

Love draws comparisons to some of the league's best. ESPN's Mel Kiper likens him to Reggie Bush for his vision, burst, and open-field elusiveness. Others see shades of Jahmyr Gibbs in his speed and receiving prowess, or even Saquon Barkley in his combination of power and agility. Team sources have graded him higher than recent first-rounders like Bijan Robinson, Ashton Jeanty, Leonard Fournette, and Ezekiel Elliott. 

Unlike those prospects, Love's efficiency (consistently over 6.9 YPC in starting roles) and low fumble rate highlight his reliability. In dynasty fantasy circles, he's graded as an elite RB1 producer, with a 91.75 scouting score. His home-run threat ability—evident in Notre Dame's record for consecutive games with a rushing TD—makes him a potential game-changer at the pro level. 

Why He's a First-Rounder and the Undisputed RB1

In a draft class where running backs aren't as deep as in recent years, Love stands alone at the top. Consensus rankings from outlets like NFL Draft Buzz, PFF, ESPN, and The Athletic peg him as RB1, often in the top 10 overall. No other back matches his production, athleticism, or polish. While players like Nick Singleton (Penn State) or Makhi Hughes (Oregon) are solid, they lack Love's explosiveness and proven ability to deliver in big games. 

The NFL's evolving valuation of running backs favors versatile, durable talents like Love. Recent first-round RBs (e.g., Robinson at No. 8 in 2023, Gibbs at No. 12) prove teams will invest early in elite ones. Love's projection as a top-5 to top-15 pick aligns with this trend, especially for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or Minnesota Vikings, where his skills could complement high-powered offenses. His ability to contribute immediately as a starter mitigates any "RB devaluation" concerns.

Areas for growth? Love could refine his pass-blocking technique against slanting blitzers, but that's nitpicking for a prospect this complete. At just 21 years old by draft day, his upside is immense.

Love is a Can't-Miss Prospect

Jeremiyah Love isn't just the best running back in the 2026 class—he's one of the draft's premier talents, period. His blend of elite production, athletic gifts, and NFL-ready skills makes him worthy of a first-round selection and the first RB taken. Teams passing on him risk watching him become the next superstar back, much like Barkley or McCaffrey. As scouts finalize their boards, expect Love's name to rise even higher. The 2026 draft could be defined by where he lands.

Go Irish!