Notre Dame Star Jeremiah Love Rejects Georgia’s $4.5 Million NIL Offer, Sends Powerful Message: “I’m a Fighting Irishman Forever”

In a college football era increasingly driven by Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, where loyalty is often overshadowed by opportunity, Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love just made a statement that shook the foundations of the sport. The rising sophomore stunned fans, analysts, and boosters alike by turning down a staggering $4.5 million NIL offer from the University of Georgia. In doing so, he reaffirmed not only his commitment to the Fighting Irish, but also the increasingly rare value of legacy over leverage.

Love, who emerged as a breakout star during his freshman season in South Bend, was widely regarded as one of the top young running backs in college football. His ability to combine blistering speed with downhill power and natural vision made him a key offensive weapon for Notre Dame. By season’s end, he had racked up over 1,100 yards from scrimmage, earning All-American honors and catapulting himself into the national spotlight.

But with fame comes attention — and offers. Georgia, the reigning SEC powerhouse and perennial College Football Playoff contender, reportedly extended Love one of the most lucrative NIL deals ever offered to a college running back: $4.5 million, spread across two seasons, with added marketing incentives from local and national brands. The Bulldogs hoped the money, coupled with the promise of playing behind an elite offensive line and competing for national titles, would be enough to lure Love to Athens.

Instead, Love didn’t blink.

“I have no plans beyond being a Dame,” Love said in a heartfelt video message posted to social media. “This isn’t just about football for me. It’s about legacy, loyalty, and doing something meaningful with the people I came in with. I love my brothers, I love this coaching staff, and I love Notre Dame. I’m here to win — not just games, but hearts.”

The announcement set off a wave of reactions, from admiration to disbelief, across the college football landscape. For Notre Dame fans, it was a moment of euphoria. For those watching from outside South Bend, it was a powerful reminder that not every player is for sale — even in an age when massive NIL packages are becoming standard fare for elite talents.

Head coach Marcus Freeman, who has made building a culture of integrity and brotherhood a cornerstone of his tenure, was quick to express his gratitude and admiration.

“Jeremiah is everything we want our program to be about,” Freeman said. “He’s not just a phenomenal football player; he’s a phenomenal human being. His decision speaks volumes about who he is and what we’re building here at Notre Dame.”

Love’s choice may carry implications far beyond South Bend. In recent months, the growing size of NIL deals has sparked debate across the sport. Some argue that players should be able to maximize their earnings in a system that profits immensely from their labor. Others worry that the transactional nature of NIL is eroding team cohesion and shifting priorities away from education and development.

In that context, Love’s loyalty stands out as a bold counter-narrative. It suggests that for some players, the college experience still holds value that can’t be measured in dollar signs.

And to be clear, Love is far from NIL-poor. Notre Dame has a strong NIL infrastructure in place, with major alumni, business partnerships, and a national brand that gives its top athletes meaningful opportunities. But $4.5 million — especially from a rival blue-blood program — is life-changing money. Love’s decision to walk away from it to remain with his teammates, coaching staff, and academic environment underscores a personal compass guided by more than just economics.

Teammates have praised Love for the message his decision sends inside the locker room.

“We all respect the hell out of J-Love,” said junior offensive tackle Blake Fisher. “That man could’ve gone anywhere, gotten the bag, and nobody would’ve blamed him. But he chose us. That’s leadership. That’s family.”

Love’s impact extends well beyond game days. Coaches and classmates alike say he’s a fixture in the community, involved with youth mentoring programs and active in student leadership initiatives. He’s also majoring in business administration and has spoken publicly about wanting to create generational wealth through entrepreneurship after football — a long-term vision he believes Notre Dame is best suited to support.

“I’m not saying NIL isn’t important. It is. I want all athletes to have a chance to benefit from their hard work,” Love said. “But I also think we have to ask ourselves who we want to be when the lights turn off. For me, I want to be someone who stands for something, not just someone who chases everything.”

His decision has also rekindled optimism in Notre Dame’s 2025 national title hopes. With Love back, the Fighting Irish retain a dynamic centerpiece for an offense loaded with returning starters. Sophomore quarterback CJ Carr, a five-star recruit, will have a premier backfield partner. Tight end Eli Raridon and receiver Tobias Merriweather are expected to take significant steps forward. If the offensive line holds up, Notre Dame could have one of the most balanced attacks in the country.

Defensively, the Irish remain stout, and with Freeman entering his third year, the culture feels cohesive and ready to ascend. Love’s presence provides not only elite production but also a calming, veteran influence in the huddle and locker room.

“People keep asking me why I stayed,” Love added in his video. “It’s simple. I came here for a reason. I signed up for a challenge, not a shortcut. I believe in this program, and I believe in finishing what I started.”

Georgia, for its part, has not commented publicly on the offer or Love’s decision. Sources close to the Bulldogs program described the failed pursuit as “a calculated risk that just didn’t pan out.” Georgia remains stocked with talent but is reportedly now shifting focus to other portal options and high school recruits.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick called Love’s decision “a defining moment.”

“In the modern landscape, we often forget what makes college athletics special. Jeremiah reminded all of us,” Swarbrick said. “His commitment is not just to Notre Dame — it’s to what college football at its best can still be.”

Love’s choice will likely be dissected in coaching offices and boardrooms for months to come. Will his loyalty inspire other stars to stay put? Will it spark a philosophical shift in how NIL is approached and managed? Or will it remain an outlier — a rare act of defiance against a sport increasingly dominated by market dynamics?

Whatever the case, Jeremiah Love has already carved out a legacy that transcends touchdowns. In a time when many are asking what college football is becoming, Love’s decision offers a hopeful answer: maybe, just maybe, it’s still about love for the game — and for those who share the journey.

As the 2025 season looms, Notre Dame finds itself not just with a star in the backfield, but with a symbol of something deeper. A player who turned down millions to stay true to his school, his teammates, and himself.

“I’m not chasing money,” Love said in closing. “I’m chasing greatness — right here, where I belong.”

And with that, Jeremiah Love may have just become the heart and soul of Notre Dame football.