Jeremiyah Love can showcase impressive skills at combine

Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates scoring against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love can showcase Bijan Robinson-like skills at 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Feb 23, 2026 5:48 PM ET

The 2026 NFL Draft isn't considered strong at running back, but Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Jeremiyah Love is widely viewed as a special talent.

Entering the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, Love is drawing comparisons to other elite RB prospects, including former Texas Longhorns star Bijan Robinson (now with the Atlanta Falcons).

"This guy's more Bijan in that he's silkier, smoother, quicker feet, more athletic than you think," longtime draft guru Todd McShay told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer for a story published Monday. "I think the thing with Love is when he hits a crease — and obviously everyone has the mental image of the CFP game a year ago, the 98-yard run—you see a lot of it on tape, he accelerates and gets two, three steps, and he turns those eight, 12-yard gains into a 25 or a house call."

Love may showcase that burst at the combine later this week. NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reported Monday that the RB will run the 40-yard dash when he works out with other RBs on Saturday (NFL Network, 1 p.m. ET). That gives him another opportunity to prove he's the same caliber of prospect as Robinson.

JEREMIYAH LOVE GOES 98 YARDS FOR THE TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/SSAjPnrRtt
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 21, 2024

How Jeremiyah Love could use NFL Scouting Combine to validate Bijan Robinson comparisons

Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty (pick No. 6 of the 2025 draft) didn't run the 40 at last year's combine. However, Robinson did. The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder clocked a 4.46. That convinced the Falcons to grab him with pick No. 8 in 2023.

Love (6-foot, 214 pounds) may tie or top that solid time. In a 70-7 rout of the Syracuse Orange this past season, the RB recorded a top speed of 21 mph on a 68-yard touchdown run (via Reel Analytics). Per Next Gen Stats, Robinson's fastest play came in a 34-27 Week 4 win over the Washington Commanders when he reached 21.85 mph on a 69-yard reception.

An easy 21.0 mph for Jeremiyah Love https://t.co/K5BrigOjR6 pic.twitter.com/hgyhUCJxy3
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) November 26, 2025

BIJAN ROBINSON. 69 YARDS.

CBS | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/NAhhZ6v5JZ
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 28, 2025

Love — who was named a 2025 Heisman finalist after rushing for 18 touchdowns in 12 games — clearly has many of the traits that have made 2025 first-team All-Pro Robinson a successful back. Now, he just needs to flaunt them at the combine.

If he does, consider him a lock to go in the top 10 of the draft. Tankathon has the New Orleans Saints taking him with pick No. 8 in its mock. He would join Robinson and Jeanty as the only RBs to go that high since 2020 if that happens.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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