Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, third-place finisher in this year’s Heisman Trophy balloting, announced Tuesday night that he has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. Love, who took home the Doak Walker Award as college football’s top running back, accounted for 1,652 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns as a junior. He had a combined 3,014 yards from scrimmage and 40 TDs over his final two seasons with the Irish.

Love will be arguably the top skill-position prospect in the ’26 draft class. He ranked as the No. 5 prospect overall on Dane Brugler’s most recent draft board and was the 11th pick (Minnesota Vikings) in Brugler’s first mock draft.

“It is with a wealth of gratitude I will take the many experiences Notre Dame has given me and apply those lessons learned as I move onto the next level,” Love said in a statement released on social media. “I look forward to representing my family and Notre Dame in the NFL.”

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was the No. 6 pick in last year’s draft, while Texas’ Bijan Robinson (No. 8) and Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 12) both cracked the top 15 during the 2023 draft.

Love’s draft outlook

Get ready for the “Should an NFL team draft a running back in the top 10?” debates.

Love entered the season as the overwhelming favorite to be RB1 in this draft class, and he didn’t disappoint, averaging 6.9 yards per carry and posting an FBS-best eight plays of 20-plus yards (four carries, four catches). Over the last two seasons, Love combined for 40 touchdowns from scrimmage — eight more than the next-closest finisher on that list.

The NFL covets players who directly impact the scoreboard, and that is precisely what Love does. Should an NFL team draft a running back that early? It depends on where that particular team is in its roster construction. It was risky for the Raiders to draft Jeanty in the top 10 last year, but the Falcons and Lions don’t have any regrets over where they selected Robinson or Gibbs, respectively.

I’d bet there will be multiple teams with top-12 picks in April that will value what Love has to offer, especially in a running back class that offers below-average depth.

More on Love

Love looked even better in 2025 than he did during the 2024 season. The St. Louis native showed improved run patience as a junior and did a better job of staying north-south, which led to an increase in first downs without sacrificing his big-play talent.

Saquon Barkley was picked apart pre-draft for having “questionable vision” and doing “too much dancing.” However, at a certain point, you just bet on the unique athlete who can do freaky things with the ball in his hands.

He and Barkley are different types of running backs, but I think the process will be similar for Love. His ability to smash the accelerator and stay on his feet through contact makes him a nightmare to tackle, mainly when he attacks the second level of a defense. Regardless of positional value, Love is a top-five prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is the most explosive offensive weapon in the class.