Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love Named Sporting News Preseason First Team All-American, Poised to Become College Football’s Next Offensive Superstar
Every now and then, a player arrives on campus not just with potential, but with purpose—an athlete whose presence shifts the trajectory of a program the moment his cleats touch the turf. For Notre Dame, that player is Jeremiyah Love. And now, the rest of the college football world is catching up. With his recent selection to the Sporting News Preseason First Team All-American, Love has solidified his status not just as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the nation—but as a future legend in the making.
The recognition is massive, not only for Love personally, but for Notre Dame’s entire offensive identity heading into the 2025 season. It confirms what Irish fans and coaches already knew: that Jeremiyah Love is a game-changer. A one-cut-and-gone type of back. A human highlight reel with vision, burst, and breakaway speed that can flip the field—and flip the script—in a matter of seconds.
At 6-foot-1 and nearly 200 pounds, Love brings a rare combination of power and finesse. He can shoulder the load between the tackles and still torch a secondary on the edge. But what sets him apart—what makes him the kind of player who ends up on the Sporting News All-American list—is his versatility. He isn’t just a running back. He’s a weapon. Put him in the backfield, in the slot, out wide, in motion—he thrives anywhere and everywhere.
That’s exactly what Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock have done. They’ve designed the offense with Love as the focal point. And why wouldn’t they? In a college football era where dynamic playmakers determine titles, Love is a difference-maker in every phase of the game.
His 2024 campaign was a masterclass in explosion and consistency. Whether it was a third-and-short situation or a first-down screen play, Love delivered time and again. He finished the season with over 1,400 all-purpose yards, a dozen touchdowns, and a highlight reel of electric moments that left opponents reeling and NFL scouts drooling. Every carry looked like it might be the one—and often, it was.
But those who’ve followed Jeremiyah Love’s journey know this isn’t some overnight rise. He’s been building toward this moment for years. Coming out of St. Louis, Missouri, Love was a highly-touted four-star recruit with blazing track speed and a football IQ that made him a natural fit for the next level. He chose Notre Dame because of its legacy, its structure, and its emphasis on developing not just athletes, but men. He bought into the culture, and in turn, the culture embraced him.
From his freshman year, the flashes were there. Bursts of brilliance. Accelerations past linebackers. A quiet confidence that grew with every touch. By his sophomore season, he wasn’t just part of the rotation—he was the rotation. The Irish backfield revolved around his ability to make something out of nothing, to turn would-be two-yard gains into 50-yard house calls.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be the biggest yet—not just for Love, but for the Fighting Irish as a whole. With an experienced offensive line returning, a dynamic quarterback under center, and a deep corps of receivers to stretch defenses, Love will have more space to operate than ever before. And that’s a terrifying prospect for defensive coordinators across the country.
The Sporting News Preseason All-American honor is a reflection of that potential. It’s also a recognition of everything Love has already accomplished. It’s a nod to his work ethic, his leadership, and the respect he commands in locker rooms and on scouting reports. He’s not a secret anymore. He’s a star.
But Love, ever humble, isn’t caught up in the headlines. Talk to those close to him and they’ll tell you: he’s still the first one in the weight room and the last one off the field. He still studies film like a quarterback. He still texts with his offensive linemen after practice to break down blitz pickups and blocking assignments. That’s what makes him dangerous. That’s what makes him great.
Notre Dame’s history is filled with legendary names at the running back position—players like Jerome Bettis, Ricky Watters, Julius Jones, and Josh Adams. Jeremiyah Love is on track to join that pantheon. But he brings a modern twist. In an age where the best backs are also expected to be elite receivers, Love shines. He’s comfortable catching out of the backfield, running crisp routes, and lining up as a mismatch against linebackers and safeties. That dual-threat capability has turned him into one of the most complete offensive weapons in the country.
And it’s not just college analysts who are noticing. NFL scouts are watching, closely. Love has the makings of a future high draft pick. His frame, speed, vision, and durability check every box. If he can maintain his production in 2025, stay healthy, and continue developing his already impressive football IQ, there’s a legitimate chance he could be one of the top running backs taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Still, he isn’t chasing draft projections. He’s chasing wins. Championships. Legacy. The Sporting News honor is validation, but for Love, it’s just a mile marker—one of many on the road to something greater. And he knows that greatness is earned, not given.
This fall, Love will take the field inside Notre Dame Stadium to roaring crowds, under bright lights, in marquee matchups that could determine the fate of the season. When the ball is in his hands, anything can happen. That’s the kind of pressure most players shrink from. But Love? He welcomes it.
He’s become a symbol of hope and excitement for Notre Dame fans. A reason to believe that the offense can be explosive. A player capable of delivering Heisman-level moments, week after week. There’s even quiet murmuring in South Bend that if things fall right—if the Irish make a playoff push and Love continues to torch opposing defenses—he could find himself in serious contention for the Heisman Trophy.
That would be rare territory for a Notre Dame running back in the modern era. But then again, Love isn’t your typical back. He’s redefining what’s possible at the position for the Irish. And he’s doing it with humility, focus, and a relentless drive that inspires everyone around him.
For Marcus Freeman and the coaching staff, having a player like Love is a gift. Not just because of what he brings on Saturdays, but because of what he represents Monday through Friday. He leads by example. He raises the bar in the locker room. He’s the kind of player who sets the tone for a championship culture.
And that’s what Notre Dame is building. Piece by piece. Player by player. Leader by leader. With Jeremiyah Love at the center of it all.
His selection to the Sporting News Preseason First Team All-American list is more than just an honor. It’s a warning shot to the rest of college football: Notre Dame has a star. And his name is Jeremiyah Love.
So as kickoff draws near, eyes across the nation will be on South Bend. And every time No. 12 lines up in the backfield, you’ll feel that collective breath being held by defenses, fans, and broadcasters alike—because with Jeremiyah Love, you never know when the next snap will become the next unforgettable moment.
But if history is any guide, you can bet it won’t take long.
