Recruits walk into locker rooms with an informal checklist, but circumstances shift. Many players are drawn to the prospect of large paydays, fame, and prestige, leading them to pursue a career in the NFL. The vibe shifts from being the face of a program to potentially becoming the face of a franchise. No matter how large the school is, that becomes a transition, even from Notre Dame. However, looking back is also common.
Jeremiyah Love Laments Notre Dame Exit Without Playoff Revenge
By the estimations of many, Jeremiyah Love will hear his name called as the first running back selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Yet, in his estimation, the quiet way his Notre Dame tenure ended stays with him. When he sat down with host J.D. PicKell, the rusher articulated his thoughts on the transition.
“Leaving Notre Dame is one thing. Realizing a piece of you stayed in that locker room is another,” Love said. PicKell asked Love if he ever thought about staying in South Bend for his last season after the Irish were left out of the College Football Playoff.
“The deeper I get into this NFL process, I think about what could have been,” Love admitted. “I could be grinding with my boys, preparing for a revenge season. I could definitely see myself going back.”
The NFL may be calling, but South Bend has a little love left to give. Make no mistake, Love’s status as a Notre Dame standout remains clear. He sits No. 7 on the all-time rushing list with 2,882 yards. He ran for at least 100 yards 11 times during his stay on campus. Over his final two years, Love’s Irish enjoyed two separate double-digit winning streaks.
On top of that, last year’s 1,372-yard performance earned national acclaim. Love landed in the No. 4 spot in the PFSN CFN RB Impact Rankings. Meanwhile, his team finished the season 10-2. Notre Dame started the season 0-2. After consecutive losses to Miami and Texas A&M, the team hovered around the top 10 but found itself out of the hunt at the end of the season.
The fanbase and university alike did not appear to take the snub in stride. While the fanbase reacted angrily, the administration decided to skip bowl season altogether and issued this statement regarding the decision.
As a result, the close of Love’s Notre Dame career saw him gain 49 yards and score two touchdowns against Stanford in the finale. Just two years before, the Irish were playing for the national championship. Now, a different path exists for the athlete and his alma mater. On April 23, Love will hear his name called early in the draft. On the other hand, the Irish will begin their season on Sept. 6 against Wisconsin.
