Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is raking in the preseason honors. After recently being named to Pro Football Focus’ preseason All-American list along with cornerback Leonard Moore, Love has now been named a preseason first-team All-American by Athlon Sports.
The preseason attention should come as no surprise. In a breakout 2024 season, Love rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 17 scores on the ground rank him second all-time in Notre Dame history behind Audric Estime’s 18 touchdowns in 2023. Even more impressive, Estime set the record with 210 carries. Love achieved his mark on 163 carries. He also snagged 28 passes for 237 yards and two receiving touchdowns a year ago. Love averaged 6.9 yards per carry last year, ranking seventh among running backs with at least 100 carries. Last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty averaged 6.95 yards per carry. A forward leap this season as a junior should place Love in the Heisman Trophy hunt.
Preseason All-American
More Opportunities for Jeremiyah Love
In his second year in Mike Denbrock’s offense, Love is certain to be given an opportunity to make even more plays in the upcoming season. With a better knowledge of the offense, Love could prove to be a dangerous weapon in the Irish’s passing game. He has good hands and game-changing speed. Those attributes will make it tough on opposing defenses not knowing exactly how Love will be utilized.
Jadarian Price gives the Irish a potent one-two punch in the backfield. With defenses keying on Love, Price should find more open running lanes this season. Price enjoyed a breakout season of his own in 2024. He rushed for 746 yards and seven touchdowns. Together, the pair combined for 1,871 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago. The key to Notre Dame’s offensive success will be keeping Love and Price healthy. Love and Price are both explosive players. They represent arguably the best backfield in the nation.
Notre Dame’s Depth in the Backfield
Adding to the strength of Notre Dame’s running attack is Aneyas Williams. Utilized primarily as the third-down back last season, Williams adds to the depth at the position. He gained 219 yards and caught 18 passes for 172 yards last season. Williams shined in the postseason. He was instrumental in the Irish’s 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
Kedren Young, a redshirt freshman, could also be heard this season. In four games last year, Young rushed for 116 yards and scored a touchdown. He was a standout in this year’s Blue-Gold Game. Nolan James Jr. is another potential offensive weapon. Last December, James flipped his commitment from Boston College to Notre Dame. He rushed for 1,921 yards and 19 touchdowns in 12 games as a senior at Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic. Additionally, he caught 27 passes for 340 yards and scored three receiving touchdowns in leading DePaul Catholic to a state championship.
Final Thoughts
Having already shown his explosive speed and power, Love is set to elevate his game in the coming season. As a focal point of the Irish offense and with expectations soaring, all eyes are certain to be on Love to see if he can translate the preseason recognition into an impactful and potentially historic season for Notre Dame. Adding to the excitement is the depth behind Love. With talents like Price, Young, Williams, and James poised to contribute, the Irish ground game will be a formidable force to watch.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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