NFL Exec Calls Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love 'Mixture' of Jahmyr Gibbs, James Cook

NFL executives reportedly have some of the league's top running backs in mind when looking for comparisons for Notre Dame junior Jeremiyah Love.

"He's a mixture of [James] Cook and [Jahmyr] Gibbs," one AFC assistant general manager told ESPN's Jordan Reid. "I think he's a game-changer and some team will take him in the top 20 [picks] because he makes a lot of things right in your offense."

Love is ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect and top running back on the B/R NFL Draft Scouting Department's first Early Top 30 Big Board before the opening of the college football season.

B/R NFL scout Dame Parson described Love as an "offensive weapon and not just a traditional running back. He's a big-play threat because of his top-end speed."

"He's also a three-down impact contributor, who turns short gains into explosive downfield plays... Love is a big play waiting to happen, particularly in a more functional and traditional passing offense this season," Parson wrote.

Love racked up 1,125 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, while adding 237 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 16 games for the Fighting Irish last season.

He was a key part of Notre Dame's run to the national championship game, playing a key role in the Fighting Irish's semifinal win despite playing with a brace on his right knee.

Notre Dame ranked 101st in FBS with 198.1 passing yards per game last season amid struggles with Riley Leonard under center.

This year the Fighting Irish will look to get back on track behind either CJ Carr or Kenny Minchey next season. Quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli told The Athletic's Pete Sampson on Aug. 2 that the battle for the QB1 position was currently "50-50," and that the following two weeks would determine who starts when Notre Dame opens the season on Aug. 31 against Miami.

Whichever quarterback wins that competition will have both Love and Jaden Greathouse, who could be set for a breakout season after a strong showing in last year's College Football Playoff.

A more consistently dynamic offensive effort from Notre Dame this season could help Love cement his projected place on top of the 2026 NFL draft.