Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love had a weekend.
The St. Louis native became the first Notre Dame back to win the Doak Walker Award and then finished No. 3 in the Heisman race on Saturday evening.
In three years, Love has tallied 2,882 rushing yards, 594 receiving yards, and 42 touchdowns for the Irish, including an average of 6.9 yards per tote over the last two seasons.
Love is projected as a first-rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft and is seen as a top-10 pick by some analysts.
But the 6-foot, 215-pounder has not declared for the draft just yet.
“Most likely,” Love said when asked by ESPN if he was leaving South Bend. “I'm most likely done. I haven't made an official announcement or anything like that, but I've been discussing things with my family, and we'll be coming to a conclusion here pretty soon, within the next week or so.”
The smart decision to leave school as a fresh back with little carries. In three seasons, Love carried the ball 433 times, which is a significant difference from last year’s top back, Ashton Jeanty, who had 750 carries in three seasons.
“I gotta do what's best for me,” explained Love. “I gotta take care of my family. So maybe there's a small chance I continue playing collegiate ball, but I'm discussing with my family and an announcement is coming soon.”
What would get Love to return for his final year in South Bend?
It’s not an NIL figure. Love would love an opportunity to play with his brothers one more year and finish off what he started.
“I wouldn't really say it's anything other than me wanting to be able to be with my brothers again,” Love said. “Money is everywhere. Money wouldn't make me stay.
“I feel like something just has to click with me, where I'll be like, I want to get a little bit more time with the guys. I want to spend a little bit more time with my people here at Notre Dame.”
Love has always made choices against the grain, but a return to Notre Dame would simply be stunning given how the NFL feels about him.
In October, a veteran NFL scout had some very high praise for Love.
"Shades of Reggie Bush,” said the scout. “Shades of Jahmyr Gibbs. Shades of a bunch of running backs. I don't know if any of them are as pure an athlete as him. He has 1,000 (rushing) and 1,000 (receiving) in a season potential.”
All eyes will be on his decision over the next few days or weeks, but regardless, Love has firmly placed himself as one of the best players to come out of Notre Dame at any position.
“I feel it’s more of a personal thing,” said Love. “There’s not anything that anybody could do. It’s just how I feel about it and if I'm ready to make that next jump. I've been thinking about it.”
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