Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Shines at NFL Combine

Love's blazing 40-yard dash time has scouts drawing comparisons to top NFL running backs

Mar. 2, 2026 at 8:31pm

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Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love turned heads at the 2026 NFL Combine with an impressive 4.36-second 40-yard dash, cementing his status as one of the top prospects in this year's draft class. Analysts are drawing comparisons between Love's elite speed and athleticism to former NFL standouts like DeMarco Murray and Darren McFadden, suggesting he has the potential to be a game-changing playmaker at the next level.

Why it matters

Love's combine performance has solidified his standing as the clear RB1 in the 2026 draft, and he is now widely projected to be a first-round pick. His combination of size, speed, and production at the college level has scouts excited about his NFL future and the impact he could make for whichever team selects him.

The details

At 6'0" and 212 pounds, Love checked all the physical boxes at the combine. His 4.36-second 40-yard dash time was the second-fastest among running backs, trailing only Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr. Analysts see similarities between Love's skill set and that of former Cowboys star DeMarco Murray, who was a third-round pick but went on to have a productive NFL career. Others have drawn comparisons to the explosive but injury-prone Darren McFadden. Love's ability to break tackles and rip off big plays has scouts very intrigued about his potential at the next level.

  • On Saturday, March 1, 2026, Love participated in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
  • In the 2025 college football season, Love had 38 runs of 15+ yards and forced over 50 missed tackles.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A star running back from the University of Notre Dame who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

DeMarco Murray

A former NFL running back who played for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans, earning a first-team All-Pro selection in 2014.

Darren McFadden

A former NFL running back who was known for his explosive athleticism and big-play ability during his time with the Oakland Raiders, though his career was hampered by injuries.

Trey Benson

A running back who had success at the college level but has struggled with consistency and vision at the NFL level so far in his career.

Mike Washington Jr.

A running back from the University of Arkansas who posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among RBs at the 2026 NFL Combine.

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What’s next

Love is widely expected to be one of the first running backs selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, with many projecting him to be a top-15 pick. Teams will continue to evaluate his film, medical history, and intangibles as they determine where to select him.

The takeaway

Jeremiyah Love's elite speed and athleticism, as demonstrated by his blazing 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, have cemented his status as the top running back prospect in this year's draft class. His potential to be a game-changing playmaker at the next level has scouts drawing comparisons to some of the NFL's most dynamic ball carriers of the past decade.