Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Eyeing Top 5 Draft Spot

Love says he's heard interest from Giants, Chiefs, and Saints ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:07am

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Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, projected as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, revealed that he's heard the Giants, Chiefs, and Saints as potential landing spots for him in the top 10 of the upcoming draft. Love is coming off a dominant college career and impressive combine performance, solidifying his status as a likely top-5 pick.

Why it matters

With several NFL teams in need of a game-changing running back, Love's comments indicate he could be a highly sought-after prospect. The Giants, Chiefs, and Saints all struggled to establish consistent rushing attacks last season, making Love an ideal target to bolster their offenses.

The details

Love, a unanimous All-American and Doak Walker Award winner in 2025, rushed for over 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns in his final collegiate season. He also impressed at the NFL Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds. The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the top overall players in the 2026 draft class, with the BR NFL Scouting Department ranking him 3rd overall behind only Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Miami pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr.

  • Love spoke to reporters at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
  • In 2024, Love rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns, while catching 28 passes for 237 yards and two scores.
  • In 2025, Love followed that up with 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 27 grabs for 280 yards and three more touchdowns.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A running back from Notre Dame who is projected as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Caleb Downs

A safety from Ohio State who is ranked ahead of Love as the top overall prospect in the 2026 draft class by the BR NFL Scouting Department.

Rueben Bain Jr.

A pass-rusher from Miami who is ranked ahead of Love as the second-best overall prospect in the 2026 draft class by the BR NFL Scouting Department.

Cam Skattebo

A rookie running back drafted by the Giants in the fourth round last season, but his rookie campaign was cut short due to injury.

John Harbaugh

The new head coach of the Giants, who is focused on making the team more physical and run-heavy.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know, maybe top 10, top five, hopefully. I heard a lot [of] people saying the Chiefs or the Saints or the Giants. I mean, all I gotta say is, I'd be blessed to go anywhere.”

— Jeremiyah Love

“There seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical, run-heavy team [in New York] since [John Harbaugh's] arrival.”

— Jordan Raanan, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

Love will continue preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April. Teams picking in the top 10, including the Giants, Chiefs, and Saints, will further evaluate Love and determine if he is the right fit for their respective rosters.

The takeaway

Jeremiyah Love's impressive college career and combine performance have positioned him as a potential top-5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With several teams in need of a dynamic running back, Love could be an ideal target to help revitalize struggling rushing attacks and provide an immediate impact at the next level.