Jeremiyah Love made the much-anticipated decision official Tuesday night, announcing that he will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. While the move may come earlier than some expected, it makes perfect sense, given both the modern NFL landscape and Love’s standing as one of the most elite prospects in the country, regardless of position.
An Elite NFL Draft Prospect, Regardless of Position
In today’s NFL, no position is devalued more than running back. Contracts are shorter, shelf lives are scrutinized, and front offices consistently prioritize early-career production. For elite running back prospects, the most effective path is often the fastest one to the league, enabling them to maximize their prime years and position themselves for a lucrative second contract. For Love, that calculus was simple.
Notre Dame Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love announces he’s declaring for the NFL Draft. He’ll project as the top tailback. pic.twitter.com/wB7thKJVBg
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 17, 2025
Love isn’t declaring early because of uncertainty; he’s declaring because his evaluation is already bulletproof. Many analysts view him as the clear-cut RB1 in the 2026 class, and on PFSN’s consensus Draft Big Board, Love currently sits at No. 6 overall across all positions. That level of valuation places him in rare company.
Within draft circles, Love is consistently discussed in the same tier as elite recent running back prospects, such as Ashton Jeanty, Saquon Barkley, and Bijan Robinson, backs who entered the league with immediate star expectations and delivered.
Why Declaring Early Was the Only Logical Choice
Love’s 2025 season only strengthened his case. He rushed for 1,372 yards, fourth-most in the nation, and scored 18 rushing touchdowns, ranking third nationally. He added 21 total touchdowns overall, all while carrying the ball just 199 times. That efficiency is staggering.
Love averaged 6.89 yards per carry, the 13th-best mark in the country, and routinely flipped field position with a single touch. He wasn’t simply productive; he was explosive, functioning as a true home-run threat every time the ball was in his hands.
According to PFSN’s scouting report, Love’s game is built for immediate NFL translation:
“At 6’0”, 214 pounds, Love has true blink acceleration working upfield through gaps. Still, he also knows how to use patience and tempo modulations to toggle and throttle through creases, using lateral manipulations to press and pin linebackers behind blocks.
“Love’s creative IQ, in tandem with his explosive athleticism, can be a death blow for over-aggressive defenses, but he also has the physical edge to meet safeties in the hole and truck ahead with his lean mass and targeted physicality. Giving off shades of Ahman Green, Love can be an instant starter and eventual star in the modern NFL.”
That assessment speaks to why Love stands out. He combines speed and vision with enough power and balance to make defenders pay for overcommitting, while still finishing runs strong. With his comfort catching the ball and operating in space, he offers more than a traditional running back and gives the offense added versatility.
Love’s decision to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft is both strategic and deserved. With his stock already among the best in the class and his position demanding early-career impact, there’s little incentive to delay the inevitable.
Whichever franchise selects him in 2026 won’t just be drafting a running back; they’ll be acquiring a cornerstone offensive piece capable of changing games from Day 1. And Love, already viewed as one of the most complete prospects in recent memory, is now one step closer to proving it on the sport’s biggest stage.
