Notre Dame Star Jeremiyah Love Named The Top Returning Running Back In College Football

Heading into the 2024 season the running back position was a bit of a question mark as the young unit had massive shoes to fill. Jeremiyah Love led a running back room that filled those shoes nicely, but the St. Louis native emerged as the star. Heading into his junior season, Love is considered one of the nation's top backs.

ESPN released its list of the nation's Top 10 running backs and Love was at the top. 

"Love emerged as Notre Dame's top offensive playmaker during his sophomore season with 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry. The only two FBS running backs with 150-plus attempts to average more yards per carry last season were Boise State's Ashton Jeanty and Louisville's Isaac Brown. Love, at 6 feet and 212 pounds, is as effective earning the tough yards, as evidenced by his tackle-breaking touchdown against Penn State in the College Football Playoff, as he is breaking big plays. He had eight touchdowns of 30 yards or longer last season. The Irish want to get him the ball even more in 2025, as Love has lined up some as a wide receiver during spring practice. He caught 28 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns in 2024." - Chris Low, ESPN

The list was put together through a points system by the college football writers at ESPN and Love finished with 96 points. Eight of the 10 voters had Love listed No. 1 on their lists. The next best running back - Penn State's Nicholas Singleton - had 82 points and the other two remaining first place votes.

It didn't take long to realize Love was going to shine for the Irish. He rushed for 91 yards on just 14 carries in the season opening win over Texas A&M. Two weeks later he rushed for 109 yards on 10 carries in a win over Purdue. Love also topped 100 yards in wins over Virginia, Army and Indiana.

Love finished the season with 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground while adding 237 receiving yards and two more scores. Love was a big play machine for the Irish and his leaping ability made him a consistent highlight reel player. Love scored on runs of 98 yards (Indiana), 76 yards (Virginia), 68 yards (Army), 64 yards (Navy), 48 yards (Purdue), Stanford (39 yards) and Northern Illinois (34 yards). He also scored on a 32-yard screen catch against Louisville.

Irish running back Jadarian Price also received two votes. Price rushed for 746 yards and seven touchdowns as he had a breakout season of his own.