HEISMAN HUNGER: Notre Dame Running Back Jeremiyah Love Sets Sights on Ending Decade-Long Drought for RBs, Embraces Spotlight as Potential History-Maker According to On3

Jeremiyah Love is not just another talented running back looking to make an impact on the college football stage—he’s aiming to make history. As the 2025 college football season looms, the Notre Dame standout has his sights set on the most prestigious individual award in the sport: the Heisman Trophy. According to On3, Love has emerged as a dark horse candidate to win the honor, which would mark a significant and long-overdue shift in the award’s recent history. A running back has not claimed the Heisman in a full decade, and Love is prepared to change that narrative with grit, determination, and elite production.

Notre Dame’s football program is no stranger to Heisman glory. From Angelo Bertelli to Tim Brown, the Irish have produced seven Heisman winners, tied for second all-time behind only Ohio State, Oklahoma, and USC. But it’s been decades since Notre Dame last hoisted the trophy, and it’s been even longer since a running back earned the honor. The last running back to win the Heisman was Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015, who bulldozed his way to the award with a season for the ages. Since then, the trophy has been dominated by quarterbacks, a reflection of the sport’s shift toward pass-heavy offenses and highlight-reel aerial attacks.

Jeremiyah Love is undeterred by that trend. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior brings a powerful yet elusive style to the Notre Dame backfield. He possesses the kind of rare balance, burst, and vision that separates good backs from great ones. And with the Irish expected to be a legitimate College Football Playoff contender this year, Love will have plenty of opportunities to shine under the national spotlight. In a system that’s expected to lean on a strong offensive line and a bruising ground game, he could be the centerpiece of one of college football’s most iconic programs during a pivotal year.

Love’s path to prominence hasn’t been an overnight story. As a highly touted four-star recruit out of St. Louis, Missouri, he chose Notre Dame over several top programs, drawn by the school’s tradition, academics, and the chance to be a difference-maker in a competitive Power Five setting. His freshman year saw flashes of his talent, but it was during his sophomore campaign that he truly broke out. With over 1,400 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns, Love showcased his versatility as both a rusher and receiver, becoming a constant threat to opposing defenses.

What sets Love apart isn’t just his on-field production—it’s his mindset. Teammates and coaches alike rave about his leadership, work ethic, and unshakable confidence. He approaches every practice like it’s game day and holds himself to the highest standard. He studies film relentlessly, constantly seeks ways to improve, and has become a vocal presence in the locker room. That maturity, combined with his raw ability, is what makes him such a compelling candidate for the Heisman.

Winning the Heisman Trophy as a running back in today’s game is no easy feat. Quarterbacks benefit from inflated stats, constant media attention, and control over the pace of play. For a running back to win, they must not only post extraordinary numbers but also lead their team to national relevance. Love knows the road ahead won’t be easy, but that doesn’t faze him. If anything, it fuels him.

There’s a growing belief within Notre Dame’s camp that this could be the year. The offensive line returns multiple starters and is regarded as one of the most physical units in the country. With a quarterback situation that remains stable but not spectacular, the Irish are expected to ground and pound their way through much of the season. That means more touches for Love—and more chances to prove he belongs in the Heisman conversation.

National analysts are beginning to take notice. On3’s early 2025 Heisman watch list featured Love as one of the top non-quarterback contenders, citing his explosiveness, workload potential, and impact on a top-10 team. While his name might not carry the same cachet as some high-profile QBs like Texas’s Arch Manning or Georgia’s Gunnar Stockton, Love brings a different kind of value—one rooted in consistency, physical dominance, and big-play capability.

He’s not just effective—he’s electrifying. Whether it’s bursting through a narrow seam for a 40-yard gain or catching a screen pass and making defenders miss in the open field, Love has a knack for turning routine plays into game-changers. And as the season progresses and Heisman narratives begin to solidify, those moments will matter. Highlight plays are currency in the Heisman race, and Love has the potential to deliver them in abundance.

Still, the challenge ahead is steep. To win the Heisman as a running back in the current era, a player must essentially be flawless for 12 straight games. Every week becomes a referendum on their candidacy. A fumble here, a quiet game there, and the media spotlight quickly shifts. Love will need to remain healthy, maximize every carry, and elevate his performance in Notre Dame’s biggest games—particularly their matchups against traditional powerhouses like USC and Clemson.

Fortunately for Love, he won’t be carrying the load alone. The Irish boast a deep and talented roster, with playmakers on both sides of the ball. That balance will help Notre Dame stay in the national conversation, which in turn bolsters Love’s visibility. Winning matters in the Heisman race, and if the Irish can string together a 10- or 11-win season while contending for a playoff berth, Love’s candidacy could transform from hopeful to serious.

Beyond the stats and wins, however, lies something even more compelling: the story. Voters love narratives, and Love’s is one of resurgence—not just of a player, but of a position. A Heisman win for Jeremiyah Love would represent a reawakening of the running back legacy, a callback to the days when names like Barry Sanders, Ricky Williams, and Reggie Bush dominated headlines. It would signify that, even in a pass-first world, there’s still room for the physical artistry of a great back to be recognized and rewarded.

For Love, that possibility is both thrilling and humbling. He’s aware of the history, aware of what it would mean to bring the trophy back to South Bend, and aware of the pressure that comes with that goal. But instead of shying away from it, he’s leaning into it. His offseason has been laser-focused on refining every aspect of his game—improving his pass protection, sharpening his footwork, adding strength to break more tackles. Every rep is part of the bigger picture, every workout another step toward immortality.

He’s also embracing the spotlight. Unlike some players who prefer to deflect attention, Love has been open about his aspirations. In interviews, he’s acknowledged the Heisman buzz and said it’s something he welcomes. “I didn’t come to Notre Dame just to play football,” he recently told On3. “I came here to leave a legacy. If that includes the Heisman, then I’m ready for that.”

That attitude—bold yet grounded—perfectly encapsulates the kind of player and person Jeremiyah Love is. He understands the weight of expectations, the difficulty of the road ahead, and the fleeting nature of opportunity. But he also understands that greatness demands belief, not just from the fans or the media, but from within.

As the season draws near, Love will be one of the most intriguing figures to watch in college football. Every carry will be scrutinized, every touchdown dissected, every game a chapter in what could become one of the sport’s most compelling Heisman campaigns in years. If he can stay healthy and perform at the level he’s capable of, Jeremiyah Love won’t just be chasing the Heisman—he’ll be redefining what’s possible for running backs in today’s game.

And should he succeed, it won’t just be a personal triumph. It will be a statement. A statement that the running back position, long overshadowed in the Heisman race, still matters. A statement that Notre Dame football, steeped in tradition, remains a force in the modern era. And most of all, a statement that hard work, talent, and vision—when aligned with opportunity—can lead to history.