“Great players like Jeremiyah Love make coaches look really good.”
That’s how Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman broadly summed up the talent of the star running back prospect while stopping by “The Herd” on Friday. Freeman offered high praise for Love, who has emerged as one of the most dynamic playmakers and sought-after running backs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins later this month.
“He is a unicorn,” Freeman said boldly, “and he is as talented and gifted an athlete as I’ve ever been around.”
Freeman went on to highlight his former player’s rare versatility and athleticism, which he believes sets Love apart from other prospects in this draft class.
“I think he could be an elite wide receiver,” Freeman added. “He could be an elite [defensive back]. He’s simply gifted with a singular ability set.”
Marcus Freeman on teaching Notre Dame, Jeremiyah Love, expectations | FULL INTERVIEW | The Herd
The 6-foot, 212-pound Love is the total package at the position and was Notre Dame’s beginning operating again for the previous two seasons. Throughout that span, he recorded 362 carries for two,497 yards and 35 touchdowns, establishing himself as probably the most productive backs within the nation. Love additionally showcased his versatility, including 55 receptions for 517 yards and 5 touchdowns over that very same stretch. This previous season alone, he rushed for 1,372 yards on 6.9 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns in 12 video games, rating within the high 10 within the nation in all of these stats. He additionally had 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Love posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 40 mixed scores, exhibiting the potential offensive coordinators covet in a feature back with RB1/WR2 abilities.
[2026 NFL Draft: Why Jeremiyah Love’s Talent Transcends Value of RB Position]
“The stability, the power to leap over you and the power to run by you … a few of his most spectacular runs aren’t those you simply see on TV,” Freeman mentioned. “They’re those that, if you watch the movie, you’re like, ‘He made that play for a four-yard achieve that ought to have been a two-yard loss?’
“He’s only a actually particular and distinctive expertise.”
The expectation is that Love, who’s extensively considered probably the most electrical operating again to enter the league since Saquon Barkley, received’t have to attend lengthy to listen to his title known as on draft night time. The added reward from considered one of college football’s high coaches solely additional highlights simply how particular Love might be as soon as he joins the NFL.
