Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Reveals He Was 'Very Close' to Choosing Michigan

Love says he was committed to Notre Dame but was 'this close' to flipping to the Wolverines on National Signing Day.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Jeremiyah Love, the standout Notre Dame running back who is preparing for the NFL Draft, revealed that he was 'very, very close' to attending the University of Michigan instead of Notre Dame. Love said he was committed to Notre Dame but was seriously considering Michigan up until National Signing Day, when he ultimately decided to stick with his original choice of the Fighting Irish.

Why it matters

Love's revelation provides an interesting look at the recruiting process and how even top prospects can waver on their commitments down the stretch. It also highlights the importance of building strong relationships between coaches and recruits, as Love cited a lack of contact from Michigan's staff as a key factor in his final decision.

The details

Love told Rich Eisen that he was 'literally this close' to signing with Michigan on National Signing Day in 2023, even though he was already committed to Notre Dame. He said he was 'kind of gonna go' to Michigan with his friend Fredrick Moore, but ultimately decided to 'stick with my first choice' of Notre Dame after not hearing from the Wolverines' coaches.

  • In 2023, Love committed to Notre Dame as one of the top running back recruits in the country.
  • As National Signing Day approached, Love said he was 'very, very close' to choosing Michigan instead.
  • Love ultimately signed with Notre Dame and went on to have a decorated career, setting the program's single-season touchdown record in 2025.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A standout running back who committed to and played for Notre Dame, setting the program's single-season touchdown record in 2025.

Fredrick Moore

A fellow St. Louis native who signed with the University of Michigan, and whom Love considered following there instead of Notre Dame.

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What they’re saying

“I was committed to Notre Dame, and it came to signing day. I was literally this close to going to Michigan. But I was like, 'I'm committed to Notre Dame. I'm just going to stick with them. Even though I kind of want to go to Michigan. I'm just going to stick it out with Notre Dame. I'm going to stick with my first choice.'”

— Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame Running Back (The Rich Eisen Show)

“I ain't talk to nobody. But my homeboy, Fredrick Moore, he went to Michigan. I was kind of like gonna go with him. And I remember it very vividly. I'm telling him, 'I'm trying to go to Michigan. I'm trying to connect with y'all's coaches. But nobody's hitting me up. I don't have any connection with anybody.'”

— Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame Running Back (The Rich Eisen Show)

What’s next

Love will now turn his focus to preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine, where he will look to impress scouts and solidify his status as one of the top running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

Jeremiyah Love's revelation about nearly choosing Michigan over Notre Dame highlights the unpredictable nature of the recruiting process, even for top prospects. It also underscores the importance of coaches building strong relationships with recruits, as Love cited a lack of communication from Michigan's staff as a key factor in his final decision.