Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on Tuesday, capping an award-winning season that ranks among the best in program history.

Love made history on December 12th by becoming the first running back in Notre Dame history to win the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back. He was also one of four Heisman Trophy finalists, named a First-Team All-American, and is projected as a likely first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

The standout running back scored in every game this season for the Fighting Irish, finishing with 1,652 total yards and 21 touchdowns, including 18 rushing scores—the most ever in a single season at Notre Dame. His 1,372 rushing yards rank fourth in program history, trailing only Vagas Ferguson (1,437 in 1979), Josh Adams (1,430 in 2017), and Allen Pickett (1,394).

Love recorded six games with 100+ rushing yards and six games with multiple touchdowns. His most impressive performance came against USC, when he ran for 228 yards on 24 carries (9.5 yards per carry), added one rushing touchdown, and contributed 37 receiving yards on five receptions.

This marks the second consecutive season in which Love has rushed for at least 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry in both years, cementing his status as one of the most dominant backs in Notre Dame history.