‘More Like Superman’: Notre Dame Football Legends Rave About Jeremiyah Love’s Strength, Speed, and Star Potential Entering 2025 Season
When Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love takes the field, it doesn’t take long for jaws to drop. His explosive speed, impressive strength, and instinctive vision have made him a rising star on the Fighting Irish roster—but to some of Notre Dame’s greatest former players, Love might be something even more.
“More like Superman,” said former All-American and NFL Pro Bowler Ricky Watters. “I’ve seen a lot of talent come through South Bend, but this kid has that extra gear. He’s special.”
That sentiment is becoming increasingly common around the program as the 2025 season approaches. With Audric Estimé off to the NFL and Love now projected as the feature back in Gerad Parker’s offense, expectations for the sophomore are sky-high. And if you ask the Irish legends who’ve walked that tunnel before him, they believe the hype is more than justified.
Exploding Onto the Scene
Jeremiyah Love arrived at Notre Dame as a four-star recruit from St. Louis, Missouri, turning down offers from Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and Ohio State to commit to Marcus Freeman’s vision in South Bend. As a freshman in 2024, Love quickly proved why he was so coveted.
He rushed for 623 yards and five touchdowns on just 91 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. Whether he was slicing through Big Ten defenses or breaking off long runs in key moments, Love flashed game-breaking potential. His performance against USC—where he ran for 112 yards and a score—put him firmly in the national spotlight.
“I saw that game and texted Coach Freeman right after,” said Jerome Bettis, a College Football Hall of Famer and Irish icon. “I told him, ‘You’ve got one. You’ve got a game-changer.’ Love has that rare combination of power and finesse.”
Drawing Praise From the Past
Love’s versatility reminds many Notre Dame greats of the backs who helped build the program’s legacy. Watters sees a blend of elite traits: “He’s built like a power back, but moves like a sprinter. That’s a nightmare for defenders.”
Reggie Brooks, another Fighting Irish standout who rushed for over 1,300 yards in 1992, said Love’s field vision is what impresses him most. “He’s patient but decisive. You can’t teach that. It’s instincts and reps, and Jeremiyah already looks like a veteran.”
Even Manti Te’o, a former linebacker and Heisman Trophy finalist, weighed in on Love’s potential from a defensive perspective: “If I had to tackle that guy, I’d be watching a lot of film and praying. He’s a problem.”
Building His Body and Role
Jeremiyah Love has used the offseason to further transform his body. Now listed at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds—up 10 pounds from his freshman year—he’s added muscle without sacrificing speed. His work with strength coach Matt Balis has been a focal point of Notre Dame’s spring and summer development plan.
“He’s stronger, faster, and more confident,” Balis said. “You want players who attack the weight room and the film room. Jeremiyah does both. He’s setting the tone.”
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker echoed that praise, highlighting Love’s maturity and willingness to lead. “He’s stepped up vocally. You don’t always expect that from a sophomore, but his teammates respect him. He’s earning every carry.”
The Face of Notre Dame’s Backfield
With Estimé gone and the Irish entering the first season of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format, Love’s role will be pivotal. Notre Dame returns a veteran offensive line and a dynamic quarterback in Riley Leonard, but the offense is expected to lean on its run game early and often.
Love is expected to carry the bulk of the workload, though he’ll be complemented by speedster Jadarian Price and incoming freshman Aneyas Williams. Still, it’s Love’s versatility—his ability to run between the tackles, bounce outside, and catch passes out of the backfield—that makes him Notre Dame’s most complete back since Kyren Williams.
“He’s not just a first-and-second-down guy,” said head coach Marcus Freeman. “He can do it all. Pass protection, check. Route running, check. Home run speed, absolutely. He’s everything we want in a modern back.”
Mentorship From Legends
Love has embraced his connection to the greats who came before him. This offseason, he attended a Notre Dame alumni mentorship summit, where he met with several former players, including Watters, Bettis, and Brooks. The feedback they gave him wasn’t just about on-field performance.
“They talked about legacy, responsibility, and what it means to wear that gold helmet,” Love said. “I listened to every word. I want to represent this program with the same pride they did.”
Ricky Watters said Love soaked it all in: “You can tell he wants to be great—not for himself, but for the team, the school, and the fans. That’s Notre Dame through and through.”
Comparisons to the Greats
Naturally, the comparisons have begun. Some liken Love’s skillset to that of Alvin Kamara or Jahmyr Gibbs, with an extra dose of Notre Dame toughness. Others see shades of C.J. Prosise, a former Irish back who transitioned from wide receiver to become an NFL third-round pick.
But inside the program, they’re not rushing to label Love. “Let Jeremiyah be Jeremiyah,” said running backs coach Deland McCullough. “He’s got all the tools, but his best trait is his work ethic. Every day he’s trying to get better. That’s what separates him.”
The Big Stage Awaits
Notre Dame’s 2025 schedule includes marquee matchups against Texas A&M, USC, and Clemson. If Love continues to produce at his current trajectory, he could find himself in the Heisman conversation by midseason.
The expanded playoff format also benefits players like Love, who could shine on the national stage in December. “He’s the kind of player who shows up biggest in the biggest moments,” said Bettis. “If Notre Dame makes a run, he’ll be the engine.”
Te’o agreed, adding, “I’ve been in those big games. You need guys who can flip momentum in one play. That’s Jeremiyah.”
NFL Future Looming?
Though it’s early, NFL scouts are already tracking Love. His combination of frame, production, and potential as a three-down back makes him a coveted prospect for the 2026 draft. If he stays healthy and continues developing, he could be a top-50 pick.
But for now, Love isn’t thinking about Sundays.
“I came to Notre Dame to win games, build relationships, and grow as a man,” he said. “Everything else will take care of itself.”
There’s a rare energy around South Bend this summer, and much of it centers around No. 12 in the backfield. Jeremiyah Love represents more than just a breakout candidate or a future pro—he’s the embodiment of Notre Dame’s tradition meeting modern excellence.
As former Irish legends continue to shower him with praise, and as teammates rally behind his quiet leadership, one thing is clear: Jeremiyah Love isn’t just stepping into the spotlight—he’s sprinting toward it, cape flapping behind him.
Or, as Bettis put it simply: “He’s not just the future. He’s the now.”
And if you ask Notre Dame greats who’ve been there before?
“Superman suits him just fine.”
