Column: By the time we catch Jeremiyah Love, he may finish as a Notre Dame football all-time great RB
It was a sweltering summer's day in Jefferson City, Missouri, as I sat on the track at Jefferson City High School. It was time for the MSHSAA Class 5 100-meter dash state finals.
It was worth sweating through an outfit to see just how fast Christian Brother's College High School star and Notre Dame signee Jeremiyah Love was. Well, until Love withdrew from the Class 5 100-meter state final.
It really doesn't matter why Love withdrew – there are plenty of reasons why – but Love didn't have much to prove. Love already had a 100-meter state title in his trophy case. I just didn't get a chance to see his speed.
I got a chance to see that speed on Dec. 20. Love, taking a handoff, zipped through an opening and went 98 yards on a tough Indiana Hoosiers defense to the house.
Ah. So that's what Love's speed looks like.
Love said he looked up at the Notre Dame Stadium videoboard and saw a Hoosier trailing him. That didn't matter.
"He wasn't going to catch me," Love said. "I knew I was going to score."
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - DECEMBER 20: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball 98-yards for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Playoff First Round game at Notre Dame Stadium on December 20, 2
Love has burst onto the scene this season as one of the leaders of a three-pronged Notre Dame rushing attack. The Irish have Love, Riley Leonard and Jadarian Price who have combined for 38 rushing touchdowns.
Love spearheads this attack. His 98-yard touchdown run against Indiana thrust him into the national spotlight, but his 1,093 yards and 16 scores have paced Notre Dame's offense all season long.
Love's College Football Playoff performance proved his greatness. When we finally catch Love, he could have the kind of Notre Dame career that rivals even the best backs to come out of South Bend.
Start with the most recent evidence: Love had 108 rushing yards on just eight carries in the Irish's 27-17 win over Indiana. Not much can be more astounding than those numbers, but consider Love's status against the Hoosier.
"I came into this game battling a few things," Love said. "I came off of a little injury. I'm sick. Being able to come into this game and do what I've got to do for this team, it was special. I want to do anything for my brothers, to help this team succeed."
If that wasn't Love at his best, it's scary to think about what is.
"He showed on that play whatever percent he is, once he breaks through that third level, it's hard to catch Jeremiyah Love," Freeman said after the win over Indiana.
This season, Love has scored a touchdown in every game. From Texas A&M to Indiana, Love has found the end zone. It's simple. He scores touchdowns. That's been the most consistent part of Notre Dame's offense.
"He is the engine that kind of sparks this thing to go in a real positive direction," Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said. "Every week he seems to find a way to make an explosive play. Hurdle somebody. Run for 98 yards. What do you want? It's kind of dealer's choice, and I'm honored to have him around."
It goes beyond touchdowns scored.
During bowl season, announcers and analysts reading teases and previews for the Sugar Bowl pointed to Love's stellar season.
Take Leonard's rushing stats and add them to Love's, and you're talking about a running back that's worthy of Heisman consideration.
But what makes Love special is how he brings a little bit of everything to the table as a back. Past Notre Dame backs like Jerome Bettis brought power; other former Irish runners, like Josh Adams and Kyren Williams, brought speed and athleticism.
Love has it all. If you missed it in the 12 regular season games, he showed it against Indiana.
Love's 98-yard burst put his speed on display. He showcased his athleticism with a sky-high hurdle. He had power when his stiff arm planted a Hoosiers' defender into the turf.
That kind of skill on display resonates with the rest of the Irish backfield.
"I tell him every day before practice and before every game, ‘continue to show you’re the best in the country,'" Price this week said. "It just makes me even feel better about myself."
Seeing that all season long gives confidence to the rest of the offense, too.
"I feel like we got the best backfield in the country," wide receiver Jayden Thomas said this week. "If we block up, give our 1 of 11, those guys will be in the end zone."
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 26: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen during the first half at Met Life Stadium on October 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Edward Diller/Getty Image
Love will take the spotlight this week against Georgia. The Bulldogs have Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse, to just name a few players who could end up being NFL Draft picks.
If Notre Dame wants to win, the clearest path is to control the game on the ground with that three-pronged, Leonard-Price-Love rushing attack.
The Bulldogs will start backup quarterback Gunner Stockton. That doesn't diminish the skills Trevor Etienne, Oscar Delp and the other skill players Georgia has on offense.
Controlling the ball through the run game would put the pressure on that offense to make plays. Running the ball is Notre Dame's forte.
With a big game on New Year's Day, Love could propel Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. That would lift Love's profile to become a national fixture, which is what he deserves.
With his breakout season in 2024, Love could be in the top-10 of Notre Dame's all-time rushing record book with another 1,000-yard season.
By then, Love could have a profile that speeds past the star Notre Dame running backs who have come before him.