A Powerful Force in the Backfield: Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love Named to Maxwell Award Watch List for 2025 Season Impact

Jeremiyah Love has officially arrived on the national stage.

The explosive Notre Dame running back was named to the prestigious Maxwell Award Watch List this week, a significant recognition that places him among the top players in the country heading into the 2025 college football season. Given annually to the most outstanding player in college football, the Maxwell Award has been won by legends such as Tim Tebow, Lamar Jackson, and DeVonta Smith. Now, Jeremiyah Love has been invited into that rarefied conversation.

For Notre Dame fans and coaches alike, the recognition is no surprise. Love’s 2024 campaign saw him emerge as one of the most electrifying and consistent offensive weapons in the Irish backfield, and expectations have only grown for his junior season. With his unique blend of speed, vision, and physicality, Love is being viewed not only as Notre Dame’s primary offensive engine but also as one of the most dangerous running backs in the nation.

A Breakout Star in 2024

Love’s inclusion on the Maxwell Watch List is the natural next step in what’s been a rapid rise for the 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior. After flashing promise as a freshman, Love broke out in 2024, leading Notre Dame in rushing yards with 1,147 yards on 185 carries and scoring 12 total touchdowns. He added another 314 yards receiving on 27 catches, showcasing his value as a dual-threat option who can line up anywhere on the field.

More impressively, Love delivered when it mattered most. He posted three 100-yard games against Top 25 opponents, including a 142-yard, two-touchdown performance against Michigan and a game-sealing touchdown run in a rain-soaked thriller against Clemson.

His versatility and big-play ability made him nearly impossible to scheme against, and his toughness running between the tackles turned him into Notre Dame’s most dependable offensive weapon during a critical stretch of the season.

“He’s the heartbeat of our offense,” said Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. “Jeremiyah Love can take over a game at any moment. You just have to get the ball in his hands.”

What Makes Love Special

Jeremiyah Love’s skill set reads like a scouting dream: elite burst, natural balance, excellent hands, and the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. But what separates him from the typical highlight-reel athlete is his work ethic, football IQ, and unshakable poise under pressure.

A former four-star recruit from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Love was one of the top-rated athletes in the 2023 class. Notre Dame won a heated recruiting battle to secure his commitment, beating out Alabama, Texas A&M, and Michigan. Since arriving in South Bend, Love has added muscle to his frame while maintaining his elite speed—he reportedly ran a 4.41 40-yard dash this spring—and has evolved into a complete back.

“He’s grown so much in every phase,” said Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. “He’s stronger, smarter, more confident, and more vocal. He’s not just a great back—he’s becoming a great leader.”

Leadership and Impact Off the Field

Love’s impact goes far beyond box scores. His leadership in the locker room, especially among younger players, has become a major asset to the program.

According to teammates, Love sets the tone every day—arriving early, pushing through extra reps, and constantly studying film. Running backs coach Deland McCullough praised his “relentless focus,” calling Love “the standard” for how players should carry themselves in the Notre Dame program.

“Jeremiyah’s the type of guy who makes everyone around him better,” McCullough said. “He’s not just playing for himself—he’s playing for the name on the front of the jersey.”

That commitment has also extended into the community. Love has been involved in local mentorship programs, regularly volunteering with youth organizations in South Bend and returning to his hometown of St. Louis in the offseason to speak to high school athletes.

Maxwell Award Watch List: What It Means

Being named to the Maxwell Award Watch List is more than a pat on the back—it’s an early indication that Love is among the elite of the elite. The Maxwell Football Club considers a wide range of factors, including statistical production, leadership, impact on winning, and overall influence on college football.

This year’s list includes Heisman candidates like Quinn Ewers (Texas), Carson Beck (Georgia), and Luther Burden III (Missouri), putting Love in rare company. While running backs haven’t won the Maxwell as frequently in recent years, the rise of all-purpose backs in today’s game gives Love a legitimate chance to remain in the conversation deep into the season.

“He’s got all the tools,” said former Maxwell Award winner and ESPN analyst Desmond Howard. “What I love about Love—no pun intended—is that he does everything. He runs, catches, blocks, leads. He’s a complete football player.”

Eyes on a Bigger Prize: The College Football Playoff

While individual recognition is nice, Love has made it clear that his focus is on team goals—specifically helping Notre Dame return to the College Football Playoff.

After finishing the 2024 season just outside the Top 4, the Irish enter 2025 with unfinished business. The return of key veterans on both sides of the ball, paired with a top-five recruiting class and another year under Freeman’s leadership, has Notre Dame primed to contend.

Love will be central to that effort. With new quarterback Kenny Minchey taking the reins full-time and a reshaped offensive line up front, the offense will lean heavily on Love’s experience and playmaking to stay balanced.

“The only award I’m chasing is a national championship,” Love said. “Everything else is just noise.”

That humility, paired with his relentless drive, makes Love a coach’s dream—and a nightmare for opposing defenses.

NFL Buzz Already Building

With his blend of size, speed, and production, it’s no surprise that NFL scouts are already circling Love’s name as a potential Day 1 or Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While he’s still focused entirely on the college game, Love’s trajectory suggests he could follow in the footsteps of recent Notre Dame backs like Kyren Williams and Josh Adams—only with even greater pro upside.

Scouts rave about his vision, patience behind blockers, and ability to catch passes out of the backfield. In today’s pass-heavy NFL, those traits are invaluable.

“He checks every box,” one AFC scout said anonymously. “If he stays healthy and keeps producing, he’ll be on every GM’s radar next spring.”

Jeremiyah Love’s selection to the Maxwell Award Watch List is a milestone moment—not just for him, but for Notre Dame football as a whole. It confirms what Irish fans and coaches have known for months: Love is one of the most dynamic, complete, and unselfish players in college football.

As the 2025 season looms, expectations for Love have never been higher. But if his track record is any indication, he’s not just ready for the pressure—he welcomes it.

“Every time I step on the field, I want to prove I belong,” Love said. “Not just on a list, but on the biggest stage in the game.”

With a championship in sight and a legacy to build, Jeremiyah Love’s journey is just beginning. And the entire college football world is watching.