Why Jeremiyah Love Could Be the Dark Horse Everyone Overlooks for the Heisman Trophy

It’s been a long minute since Notre Dame stepped into the spotlight with a Heisman candidate this deep into the season. But here we are in 2025, with Jeremiyah Love making a compelling case that he’s not just in the race — he’s potentially the best player in college football right now. Love’s got one final shot to cement his legacy this season, and let me tell you, the buzz around him is electric. He’s duking it out with some stellar quarterbacks — Francisco Mendoza from Indiana, Julian Sayin at Ohio State, and Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt — all worthy contenders in their own right. Yet, when you dig into the numbers and clutch performances, Love’s resume shines brightest. In fact, I’d argue he could become the first running back since Derrick Henry in 2015 to snatch the trophy. Curious to see how Love stacks up and what makes his season so special? LEARN MORE

It has been quite some time since Notre Dame had a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender this late in the season, but Jeremiyah Love is certainly in contention in 2025. Love has just one more opportunity to build on his Heisman resume, but there’s no doubt he is arguably the best player in college football this season.

Love is likely in contention with quarterbacks Francisco Mendoza (Indiana), Julian Sayin (Ohio State) and Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt). All three have had outstanding seasons, but Love has a strong case to win the award. In fact, I would argue that Love has the strongest case of the contenders to win this season’s Heisman Trophy, and to become the first running back since Derrick Henry won it in 2015.

PRODUCTION

Love has been one of the most productive players in the country this season. The junior has rushed for 1,306 rushing yards, averaged 7.1 yards per carry and has racked up 17 touchdowns on the ground. Those numbers ranked third, fourth and third among all running backs in college football. his 118.7 yards per carry average also ranks third in the country.

Love has also caught 26 passes for 274 yards and three more touchdowns, giving him 1,580 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns. His total yards number ranks third in the country, he is second in touchdowns scored and his 143.6 yards from scrimmage per game also ranks third in the country. The two players ahead of Love – Cam Cook (Jacksonville State) and Emmett Johnson (Nebraska) – have 64 and 55 more total touches than Love but have just 96 (Cook) and two (Johnson) more yards. Love’s 7.5 yards per touch is far greater than Cook (6.1 YPT) and Johnson (5.9 YPT).

Love’s 7.5 yards per touch is the most among all running backs who have at least 100 touches on the season.

BIG GAME PRODUCTION

You can’t be a true Heisman Trophy candidate – or winner – without big game moments and being at your best on the biggest stage. While much will be made of Love being held to just 59 yards in the season opener against Miami, the Irish star ha s been big time in the big games since then.

Love racked up 147 yards and two touchdowns in the 41-40 loss to Texas A&M, and his one-handed catch en route to a 36-yard touchdown was one of his many impressive highlights this season.

Love racked up 228 rushing yards on just 24 carries in the win over USC, while adding five catches for 37 yards through the air. His 228 rushing yards was the best mark for a Notre Dame player inside Notre Dame Stadium.

Love rushed for 147 yards in a 37-15 road victory over Pittsburgh and also caught two passes for 20 yards. Pitt ranked No. 3 in college football in rush defense coming into that game and its defense ranked No. 1 in fewest yards allowed per carry.

On the season, Love has rushed for 125.5 yards per game against opponents that are currently ranked in the Top 25. His 502 rushing yards is the second most in the country against ranked opponents. The player above Love (Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas) and below (Jadan Baugh, Florida) have played in more games against ranked opponents against Love. Love has also averaged 6.3 yards per carry in four games against ranked opponents.

As good as Mendoza and Sayin have been this season they have each only played one game against ranked opponents so far this season. Mendoza passed for just 215 yards and had one touchdown and a crucial fourth quarter interception in that game (vs. Oregon). Sayin hasn’t faced an opponent that is currently ranked since week one, which was his first college start. He passed for 126 yards and a touchdown in that victory.

HEISMAN MOMENTS

On top of the big game production, Love has had plenty of Heisman caliber moments. Whether it be his one-handed catch for a touchdown against Texas A&M, his jukes and stiff arms that dominated Purdue, his two touchdowns through the air against Arkansas that included an acrobatic spin move, dominating USC with long runs, his 94-yard touchdown against Boston College, his ridiculous spin move for a touchdown against Navy, another impressive spin move against Pitt on his way to a 56-yard touchdown and embarrassing Syracuse with three touchdowns on just eight carries, Love has been a highlight reel machine for Notre Dame this season.

One Love: Jeremiyah Love is the best player in college football #GoIrish #shorts Jeremiyah Love just picked up his second national finalist honor. He’s now up for the Maxwell Award as the only non-QB on the list. With historic numbers, re…

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