Notre Dame Star Jeremiyah Love Officially Ranked As The 4th Best Player In All Of College Football Entering 2025 Season

The college football world is buzzing, and it’s not just about conference realignment, transfer portal chaos, or the endless quarterback debates that dominate the offseason. It’s about Jeremiyah Love — Notre Dame’s electrifying running back who, after a sensational 2024 campaign, has officially been ranked as the fourth-best player in all of college football heading into the 2025 season.

For Notre Dame fans, this comes as no surprise. Love was the heartbeat of the Fighting Irish offense last season, turning heads with his blistering speed, elite vision, and undeniable playmaking ability every time he touched the football. Now, the national spotlight has firmly settled on South Bend, and the rest of the country is finally giving Love his due recognition.

The prestigious ranking, revealed by CFB Now’s Top 100 list earlier this week, places Love among college football’s most elite talents. Sandwiched between Heisman contenders and projected first-round NFL Draft picks, his No. 4 ranking solidifies his status as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the nation.

But the rise of Jeremiyah Love wasn’t overnight. His journey to stardom is a story of quiet determination, relentless work ethic, and a burning desire to restore Notre Dame to the pinnacle of college football.

The former four-star recruit out of St. Louis arrived in South Bend with plenty of promise. Coaches raved about his versatility — a track star with football toughness, a back capable of breaking away for 60-yard touchdowns but also grinding out tough yards between the tackles. But what has set Love apart isn’t just his athleticism; it’s his football IQ, his work in the weight room, and his ability to deliver when the lights are brightest.

Last season, Love amassed over 1,600 yards from scrimmage, including 1,235 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns. His ability to break open games became his calling card. Whether it was slicing through defenses on outside zone runs, hauling in passes out of the backfield, or returning kicks with lightning speed, Love gave opposing coordinators sleepless nights all season long.

His performance in marquee matchups solidified his reputation as a big-game player. In Notre Dame’s primetime clash with Clemson, Love exploded for 212 total yards and two scores, including a jaw-dropping 74-yard touchdown run that left fans at Death Valley stunned. Against rival USC, Love dominated the Trojans with 175 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and several game-breaking plays that silenced the Coliseum crowd.

Beyond the statistics and highlight-reel moments, what makes Love so invaluable is his versatility within Notre Dame’s offense. Head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock have built the Irish attack around Love’s dynamic skill set. He can line up in the slot, motion out wide, handle short-yardage situations, or burn defenses on jet sweeps — there are few limits to how Notre Dame can deploy him.

His ability to impact the game in multiple phases has drawn comparisons to recent NFL stars like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, and scouts are already drooling over his next-level potential. But for now, Love remains focused on one goal — bringing Notre Dame its first national championship since 1988.

“I’m grateful for the recognition, but I haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Love told reporters after learning about his No. 4 ranking. “This is about the team, about finishing what we started. Notre Dame football is about championships, not just individual awards.”

That team-first mentality has made Love a fan favorite and a respected leader in the locker room. Teammates rave about his humility, his relentless preparation, and his willingness to mentor younger players despite his superstar status.

For Notre Dame, Love’s return for the 2025 season is massive. In an era where top talents often bolt for the NFL at the first opportunity, Love chose to run it back, determined to chase unfinished business in South Bend. His presence not only boosts Notre Dame’s national title hopes but also elevates the program’s profile as a destination for elite offensive talent.

Recruiting experts note that Love’s success has already had a ripple effect. Several blue-chip offensive players, including top-ranked quarterback KJ Prescott and five-star wide receiver Malachi Starks, cited Notre Dame’s dynamic offense and Love’s playmaking ability as reasons for their strong interest in the Irish.

But with great expectations comes immense pressure. As the No. 4 player in the nation, Love will be circled on every opponent’s game plan. Defensive coordinators will stack the box, key on him in space, and design schemes specifically to limit his touches. Love knows the target on his back has never been bigger.

“It’s part of the game,” Love shrugged. “I’ve faced that my whole career. It just means I have to work harder, study more, be better prepared. They can’t stop what they can’t catch.”

Notre Dame’s schedule won’t make things easy. The Irish face a brutal gauntlet that includes road trips to Ohio State and Texas, plus home dates against USC, Clemson, and a resurgent Michigan State. But with Love in the backfield, the Irish believe they can hang with — and beat — anyone.

National analysts agree. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit recently called Love “the most electric player in college football not named Travis Hunter” and predicted that he’ll be a Heisman Trophy finalist if Notre Dame makes a playoff push.

Vegas oddsmakers seem to share that belief. Love enters the season with +900 odds to win the Heisman, trailing only Hunter, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, and Texas signal-caller Arch Manning.

The Heisman conversation is intriguing, but for Love, the ultimate prize is a College Football Playoff berth — and a shot at bringing the crystal football back to South Bend.

It’s been nearly four decades since Notre Dame stood atop the college football world. The Irish have come close under Brian Kelly, reaching the playoff twice, but they’ve yet to break through against the sport’s heavyweights. Love’s emergence as a game-changing offensive weapon could be the missing piece.

Defensively, Notre Dame returns a veteran-laden unit led by All-American linebacker Jaylen Sneed and lockdown corner Benjamin Morrison. Combine that with Love’s explosive offensive production, and the Irish may finally have the balance needed to contend with SEC and Big Ten powerhouses.

Love isn’t backing down from the expectations. He’s embraced the spotlight, the pressure, and the responsibility that comes with being the No. 4 player in America. His social media following has skyrocketed, NIL offers continue to pour in, and NFL scouts are already projecting him as a potential first-round pick in 2026.

But amidst the hype, Love remains grounded.

“It’s cool seeing your name up there with the best players, but rankings don’t win games,” Love said. “What matters is what happens on Saturdays — what we do as a team. That’s my only focus.”

Notre Dame’s season opener is set for August 31 against Navy in Dublin, Ireland — an international showcase where Love will look to start his Heisman campaign in style. From there, the road gets tougher, but with No. 7 in the backfield, Irish fans have every reason to believe this could be a special year.

As the 2025 season approaches, the eyes of the college football world will be fixed on Jeremiyah Love. Ranked as the fourth-best player in America, burdened with enormous expectations, and fueled by the dream of restoring Notre Dame’s championship glory — Love stands ready for the challenge.

And if his track record is any indication, opposing defenses had better be ready to chase shadows all season long.