The Athletic has named Jeremiyah Love as the top running back in college football for the 2025 season, recognizing his exceptional talent, potential, and impact on the field.

In the dynamic landscape of college football, few positions garner as much excitement and strategic importance as the running back. The athleticism, vision, agility, and power required to excel at this position make it a focal point for fans, coaches, and analysts alike. As college football gears up for the 2025 season, The Athletic has declared Jeremiyah Love as the best running back in the nation, a recognition that underscores his exceptional talent, potential, and anticipated influence on the field. This designation not only highlights Love’s individual brilliance but also signals his importance to his team’s success and the broader narrative of college football’s evolving landscape. This analysis delves into Love’s background, skill set, development trajectory, and the reasons behind his top ranking, emphasizing his potential to define the 2025 season.

Background and Player Profile

Jeremiyah Love hails from a competitive football background, emerging from a region known for producing talented athletes. His high school career was marked by impressive rushing yards, highlight-reel plays, and leadership qualities that caught the attention of college recruiters nationwide. Standing approximately 5’10” and weighing around 195 pounds, Love combines a compact, muscular build with explosive speed and agility, making him a versatile threat both as a traditional running back and a weapon in the passing game.

His recruitment process was highly competitive, with several top programs vying for his commitment. Ultimately, Love chose a program that prioritized a balanced offensive scheme, allowing him to showcase his multifaceted skill set. His transition to college football has been characterized by rapid adaptation, with coaches praising his football IQ, work ethic, and ability to grasp complex offensive schemes.

Early Career and Development

Love’s early college career has been marked by steady growth and impressive performances. From his freshman season, he showcased flashes of brilliance, displaying vision, patience, and the ability to break tackles in tight spaces. His agility allows him to change direction swiftly, making him particularly lethal in open-field situations. Coaches and analysts quickly recognized his potential to become a dominant force with further development.

Throughout his first seasons, Love worked tirelessly to refine his skills, focusing on ball security, route running, and pass protection—areas vital to earning sustained playing time and trust from coaching staff. His dedication to improvement is evident in his offseason training, film study, and on-field leadership. The coaching staff’s confidence in him has grown, and he has become a central figure in the team’s offensive identity.

Skill Set and Athletic Attributes

Love’s exceptional talent lies in a unique blend of skills that make him stand out among college football’s elite. His speed is among the best in the sport, enabling him to break away from defenders and turn small gains into big plays. His acceleration, combined with quick lateral movements, allows him to navigate through crowded defenses with finesse. His agility is complemented by impressive vision; he can read blocks and find running lanes instinctively, often making decisive cuts that maximize yardage.

Power and balance are also hallmarks of Love’s game. Despite his compact frame, he maintains a low center of gravity, allowing him to stay on his feet through contact and extend plays. His ability to break tackles and churn out extra yards makes him a consistent threat to opposing defenses. Additionally, Love’s versatility in the passing game—catching screens, running routes, and providing reliable pass protection—adds another layer to his threat level.

Ball security is a crucial aspect of his game; he maintains excellent control, minimizing fumbles and ensuring his team retains possession. His ability to contribute in all facets of the game makes him an indispensable asset. His quick decision-making, combined with his athletic prowess, enables him to excel in high-pressure situations, whether it’s grinding out tough yards or breaking a long run to shift momentum.

Offensive System and Role

Love’s fit within his team’s offensive scheme is pivotal to his success and recognition as the top running back. His team employs a balanced attack that leverages his ability to run between the tackles, stretch defenses outside, and contribute in the passing game. His skill set allows the offensive coordinator to diversify play-calling, creating mismatches and exploiting defenses.

In the running game, Love is the primary workhorse, responsible for carrying the ball on a significant portion of the team’s rushing attempts. His vision and patience allow him to read blocks quickly, hitting the right holes and making defenders miss in tight spaces. His explosive acceleration often turns short gains into long touchdowns, energizing the offense and crowds alike.

In the passing game, Love is utilized in screens, wheel routes, and as a check-down option for the quarterback. His ability to make defenders miss in space opens up additional options for the offense, especially in third-down situations. Coaches often scheme plays to get the ball into his hands in space, where his agility and elusiveness can maximize yardage.

Furthermore, Love’s pass protection skills are critical. His willingness and ability to block blitzing defenders help keep the quarterback safe and sustain drives. This comprehensive skill set—rushing, receiving, and blocking—makes him a complete back, trusted to be on the field in various situations.

Performance Metrics and Highlights

While statistics are a vital indicator of a player’s impact, Love’s highlight-reel plays and game-changing moments have also contributed to his reputation. His career rushing yards have steadily increased each season, with his breakout games characterized by multiple long runs, elusive cuts, and clutch performances.

In 2024, Love’s performances against top-tier defenses drew national attention, with multiple games featuring over 150 rushing yards, multiple touchdowns, and critical third-down conversions. His ability to perform under pressure, combined with his knack for scoring in clutch moments, sets him apart from his peers.

His game-breaking ability is further evidenced by his yards per carry, which often exceeds 6 yards, and his yards after contact, showcasing his toughness and elusiveness. His proficiency in the passing game is reflected in reception yards and receiving touchdowns, demonstrating his versatility as an offensive weapon.

Leadership and Football IQ

Beyond physical attributes, Love’s leadership qualities and football intelligence play a significant role in his high ranking. Coaches and teammates describe him as a cerebral player who understands offensive concepts and defensive tendencies. His film study habits and preparation routines set an example for younger players, fostering a culture of excellence.

On the field, Love exhibits composure in high-pressure situations, maintaining focus and making smart decisions. His ability to read defenses pre-snap allows him to adjust his runs and exploit defensive weaknesses. His leadership extends beyond individual performance; his work ethic and attitude motivate teammates and elevate the team’s overall performance.

Potential Impact in 2025

The projection of Love as the top running back for 2025 is rooted in his proven talent and upward development trajectory. If he continues to refine his skills and stay healthy, he is poised to have a prolific season. His natural playmaking ability, combined with a support system that maximizes his strengths, positions him to dominate college football.

His impact extends beyond individual statistics. As a primary offensive weapon, Love can influence game flow, open up opportunities for other skill players, and help his team contend for conference and national titles. His ability to perform in critical moments—such as red-zone carries, third-down conversions, and late-game drives—can be decisive in close contests.

Furthermore, his recognition as the best running back in college football elevates his profile for potential professional prospects. NFL scouts and analysts will closely examine his performance during the 2025 season, and his versatility and production could position him as a high draft pick.

Broader Significance in College Football

Love’s recognition as the top running back also reflects broader trends in college football. Modern offenses increasingly rely on versatile backs who can contribute in multiple ways, and Love exemplifies this evolution. His ability to run, catch, and block aligns with the contemporary prototype of a complete back.

Additionally, his rise highlights the importance of recruiting and player development. Programs that identify and cultivate such talent can dominate on the field and influence recruiting rankings nationally. Love’s success story underscores the value of investing in skill position players and emphasizing both physical training and football IQ.

His prominence can also inspire future generations of players, emphasizing the importance of versatility, work ethic, and football intelligence. As college football continues to evolve into a more dynamic and athlete-driven sport, players like Jeremiyah Love set the standard for excellence at the running back position.

In declaring Jeremiyah Love as the best running back in college football for 2025, The Athletic has recognized a player whose combination of talent, vision, versatility, and leadership elevates him above his peers. His background, development, and on-field performance demonstrate his readiness to dominate the upcoming season. Love’s unique skill set—blending speed, power, agility, and football intelligence—make him an offensive force capable of changing the course of games and inspiring his team to new heights. His impact extends beyond individual accolades, shaping the landscape of college football and setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying 2025 season. As he continues to grow and excel, Jeremiyah Love’s legacy as a premier college football running back appears destined to be cemented, with his influence felt across the sport for years to come.