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Jeremiyah Love Announces Actual Reason for Leaving Notre Dame

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 5:12 PM ET

Jeremiyah Love has disclosed his true reason for entering the 2026 NFL Draft after three seasons with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The 6-foot, 214-pound running back turned in a standout 2025 campaign, rushing for 1,372 yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry and scoring 18 touchdowns. Perhaps most notably, he did not lose a single fumble across nearly 500 career touches while in South Bend.

Love received acclaim for his accomplishments. His dominant 2025 season earned him unanimous All-American honors and the Doak Walker Award, making him the first Notre Dame running back to win the award. He also became the program’s first Heisman finalist since Manti Te'o in 2012. His run was so impressive that, according to Notre Dame Athletics, his season was the most decorated for a Notre Dame running back since Heisman winner Johnny Lattner in 1953.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates scoring against the Purdue Boilermakers.© Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Love dazzled at the 2026 NFL Combine, with his 4.36 40-yard-dash time notably turning heads. The 40 time was the second fastest behind Arkansas Razorback running back Mike Washington Jr, who had a 4.33. He ranked first amongst running backs at the combine in Next Gen Stats with a Total Score of 94. Some scouts believe his performance skyrocketed him up the draft boards into top ten territory, with others ranking him as the No. 1 player in the draft.

Love was back on campus Tuesday for Notre Dame's Pro Day. The All-American is not participating in drills himself, but he is around to support teammates and answer questions from media members. In speaking with Mike Berardino of the South Bend Tribune, Love revealed that his true reason for leaving school early was an altruistic concern for providing for his family.

"I low key wish I could come back (to NotreDame), but I have to take care of my family,” Love said.

Jeremiyah Love: “I low key wish I could come back (to #NotreDame) but I have to take care of my family.”
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) March 24, 2026