Former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love distinguished himself as one of the most explosive running backs in college football last season. Despite missing out on a spot in the College Football Playoff, Love was part of the Fighting Irish’s explosive offense that earned a PFSN College Offense Impact score of 88.5.
After his stellar season in South Bend, Love has appeared as a top 10 pick in several 2026 NFL mock drafts.
Analyst Elevates Jeremiyah Love to Elite Status
In his latest mock draft, PFSN analyst Alec Elijah linked Love to the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 18 pick and elevated the talented running back to one of the premier offensive talents in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
“After struggling with injuries in an aging backfield last season, the Minnesota Vikings could get the jolt they need by adding a talent like Jeremiyah Love. While slightly lighter and leaner than previous backs, Love consistently overperforms his size, blending physicality with explosive athleticism,” Elijah wrote.
“Coming out of Notre Dame, Love enters the 2026 draft with a top-five ranking on the PFSN Consensus Big Board and is widely regarded as one of the premier offensive talents in the class. Pairing him with the Vikings’ existing skill players could transform their offense back into a dynamic, multi-dimensional threat.”
Love earned a PFSN College Running Back Impact score of 92.4 last season after managing 1,372 rushing yards on 199 carries, resulting in 18 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish.
Draft Guru Breaks Down Love’s NFL-Readiness
During Saturday’s segment of the “Rich Eisen Show,” ESPN Draft analyst Field Yates linked Love to two NFL franchises while breaking down the factors that distinguished him from other running backs in the 2026 draft class.
“You can make the case for both the Commanders and the Saints at No. 7 and No. 8 to be real Jeremiyah Love suitors just based on where they’re at,” Yates said. “He is a special, special talent, is Jeremiyah Love. Jeremiyah Love’s grade might be the highest, along with Fernando Mendoza, in the class.
“He’s an incredibly explosive player, back-to-back seasons with a 90-yard run, and the most intriguing part, he comes in and has a case for one of the best receiving RBs in the NFL. ND didn’t just use him as a running back on screens, at times, he was lining up in the slot and running actual routes. He’s definitely the x-factor of the upcoming drafts.”
Love caught 27 passes from Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr last season, resulting in 280 receiving yards and three touchdowns to further illustrate his diverse offensive capabilities.
