Why Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love Deserves a Spot in the 2025 Heisman Conversation
- godcountryirish
- Nov 14
- 3 min read
In a Heisman Trophy race dominated by signal-callers like Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State's Julian Sayin, it's easy to overlook the thunderous ground game of Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love. As the Fighting Irish navigate a 7-2 season that has them sitting at No. 9 in the AP Poll, Love has emerged as an electric game changer in the backfield—a junior tailback whose explosive plays and relentless production scream "Heisman dark horse." With the award ceremony just weeks away, it's time to make the case: Love isn't just a running back; he's the heartbeat of Notre Dame's offense, and he belongs in the final discussion.
Stacking Up Against the Elite
Let's start with the numbers, because they don't lie. Through 10 games in 2025, Love has racked up 154 carries for 988 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, averaging a blistering 6.4 yards per tote. Add in his receiving prowess—24 catches for 254 yards and three more scores—and you've got 16 total touchdowns, tying him for the national lead in just nine appearances. That's not hyperbole; it's a pace that puts him in rarified air, even if the Heisman spotlight has skewed toward quarterbacks this year.
Compare that to the frontrunners. Mendoza, the betting favorite at +160 odds, has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading Indiana to an undefeated mark. Sayin, his co-favorite at +175, boasts similar aerial fireworks for the Buckeyes. But Love's efficiency? Untouchable. His 6.4 yards per carry ranks among the top five nationally for backs with 150-plus attempts, and he's forced 47 missed tackles this season alone—a testament to his elusiveness and vision. In an era where committees crave "impact," Love delivers it without needing 40 passes a game.
A Highlights Reel
Love's campaign wasn't without bumps. A sluggish opener against Miami (a 27-24 loss) saw him held to under 50 yards, and the Irish's heartbreaker at Texas A&M (41-40 defeat) tested his resolve early. But since then? A metamorphosis. Over the last eight games, he's exploded for 894 yards on 141 carries (6.3 YPC) and 11 rushing scores, plus 227 receiving yards. His coming-out party came against Purdue (56-30 win), where he bulldozed for 142 yards and two TDs. Then there was the Arkansas demolition (56-13), Boise State's 28-7 thumping, and most recently, a 94-yard, two-TD clinic on just 13 carries against Navy—capped by a wild 60-yard scamper that had South Bend buzzing. These aren't fluky outbursts; they're consistent dominance. Against Boston College, Love posted "Heisman-level" numbers in a blowout. In a season where Notre Dame's points per game (34.8) owe much to the run game, Love's 16 TDs account for nearly half the team's rushing scores.
The RB Drought and Why Love Breaks the Mold
The Heisman hasn't crowned a running back since Alabama's Derrick Henry in 2015, and non-QB winners are scarce in the modern era. Love enters as a +4000 long shot, ranked around 15th in most power lists behind the QB parade. Critics point to Notre Dame's two losses as a knock, but flip the script: In a brutal schedule featuring Miami, Texas A&M, and upcoming tilts against Pitt, Syracuse, and Stanford, Love has been the constant amid offensive line injuries. His three receiving TDs highlight versatility, turning short-yardage checkdowns into chunk plays.
What sets Love apart? Dual-threat dynamism in a power-back frame (5'10", 205 lbs). He's not just pounding between the tackles; he's flipping the field with after-contact yards and breakaway speed. Teammate CJ Carr called it straight: "Jeremiyah's the real deal—Heisman stuff." And with Notre Dame eyeing the playoff (they're firmly in the 12-team conversation), Love's late surge could vault the Irish into contention, amplifying his narrative.
The Verdict: Love's for Heisman
The 2025 Heisman race is quarterback-heavy, but awards are about transformative players, not positions. Jeremiyah Love has transformed Notre Dame from a middling ground attack into a juggernaut, tying the TD lead while carrying the load in Freeman's scheme. As the Irish prep for their final regular-season push, expect more Love magic—perhaps a 200-yard heater against Pitt to silence doubters. Voters, take note: In a field of fireworks, Love is the earthquake. He's not chasing shadows; he's creating them. And in December, when the stiff-arm stiffens and the committee convenes, Jeremiyah Love should be front and center. The Heisman needs a running back renaissance—show some love and let it start in South Bend.
Go Irish!
Comments