Mel Kiper Jr. Predicts ND's Jeremiyah Love Will Be Top-10 Pick in 2026 NFL Draft

NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. predicted Friday that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love will be among the first players to hear their name called during the 2026 NFL draft.

Kiper projects Love as a top-10 pick, which would make him the third running back to go inside the top 10 in a four-draft span.

As part of his analysis, Kiper waxed poetic about Love's skill set and NFL potential, writing:

"He has burst both inside and outside. He breaks tackles with ease and creates yards after contact (62 forced missed tackles last season). He has the vision and breakaway speed to hit home runs. And he displays plenty of receiving talent."

Love, 20, is about to enter his junior year with the Fighting Irish, and he is coming off a highly productive season as the top offensive weapon for an ND team that went all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last season.

In 16 games in 2024, Love rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He also had some production in the passing game, making 28 grabs for 237 yards and two scores.

Love could be even more important to Notre Dame's offensive success in 2025 since they lost quarterback Riley Leonard to the NFL and are going with a redshirt freshman in CJ Carr.

In the 2025 NFL draft, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty went sixth overall to the Las Vegas Raiders after rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns and finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2024.

Love hasn't generated that same level of hype yet, but with another big statistical season in 2025, he has a solid chance to solidify himself as the top running back in the 2026 NFL draft class.

Love and the No. 6 Fighting Irish have a huge game on tap right out of the gate, as they will go on the road to face No. 10 Miami on Sunday night.