Jeremiyah Love ranked high in USA TODAY’s 2026 NFL draft big board

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love continues garnering attention from pundits as the NFL draft gets closer. USA TODAY ranked Love No. 3 on its latest top-100 draft board which was released on Thursday, placing the running back among the elite names in the class and reinforcing his status as one of the best overall players available.

Love was listed behind linebacker Arvell Reese of Ohio State and quarterback Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. Love's rise has been built on a spectacular NFL Combine and his production on the football field. Over three seasons at Notre Dame, he rushed for 2,882 yards and 36 touchdowns on 433 carries while adding 63 receptions for 594 yards.

Love finished his career having 42 total touchdowns, with 6 of them receiving. His final season at Notre Dame may have been his most stellar. Love ran for 1,372 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, helping Notre Dame finish 10-2 while ultimately just missing the College Football Playoff.

He also set the program's single-season touchdown record with 21 total scores and earned the 2025 Doak Walker Award . Jeremiyah is consistently showing up in the top-10 of most credible mock drafts and is the consensus top running back on the board. Recent reports suggest the New York Giants may be looking to take Love with the No.