Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love continues to be an offensive threat. With his explosiveness and big-play ability, Love has carried his 2024 form into this season, emerging as one of the standout running backs in the country. So much so, that his rise has now drawn comparisons to a Georgia Bulldogs legend.

The comparison comes after ESPN’s NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid unveiled his rankings of the top 50 prospects in the country. Jeremiyah Love ranked 3rd on the list, which showcases how good the running back has been this season. Against Pittsburgh in Week 12, Love made an instant impact with a 56-yard touchdown in the first quarter and posted 147 yards on 23 carries. That, plus his consistent form after the Week 1 and 2 losses are enough for Reid to pick Love and compare him to Buffalo Bills’ running back, James Cook III.

“Love is an explosive-play generator whose versatility and explosiveness provide an immediate boost to any offense. He’s a slippery runner who can twist and turn his frame to squeeze through tight creases.” Reid reasoned for picking Love at the number three spot.

“Love gets up to speed quickly, and his 32 runs of 10-plus yards this season are the fourth most among FBS running backs. His smooth, effortless style is reminiscent of James Cook III, and Love can become a similar mismatch option for a creative playcaller.”

Cook played a pivotal role in Georgia’s 2021 national championship run. His explosiveness elevated both the Bulldogs’ rushing and passing attacks that season. He finished with 728 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, plus 284 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, helping Georgia clinch the title and launch his NFL journey.

But Jeremiyah Love has displayed similar traits for Notre Dame. He has been at the top of his game this season, posting 14 touchdowns and 1,135 yards on 23 carries. Through 10 games, he has recorded only one fumble, showing how consistent and precise he has been with the ball in his hands.

“He’s a mixture of [James] Cook and [Jahmyr] Gibbs,” one AFC assistant general manager had told Reid in August this year.

With James Cook III signing a four-year, $48 million contract extension deal with the Buffalo Bills, it seems like Jeremiyah Love could take inspiration from the comparison and follow the next step in his career: getting drafted to the NFL.

Why the Tennessee Titans could be the next destination for Jeremiyah Love

The 2026 NFL Draft Picks will be conducted in April 2026 in Pittsburgh. Currently, the Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick. After picking quarterback Cam Ward in 2025 as the number one pick, it does not seem like the Titans will go for another quarterback. With struggles all over the field, the Titans could focus on trading down and picking multiple players to strengthen their roster.

If they secure a trade partner, ideally one with a top-ten pick, they can target Jeremiyah Love with that acquired selection. For the Tennessee Titans, he would be the most obvious choice, as their run game has been dreadful this season. They rank last in rushing yards per game (78.9) and are 26th in yards per carry (3.9)

With Love’s addition, the Titans would have explosiveness in their run game and a player who can flip field positions with every touch of the ball. For Cam Ward, Love would be the perfect partner because he would help open running lanes and shoulder some of the offensive pressure, instead of forcing Ward to carry it all.