Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love is being hailed by former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark as the best player entering the 2026 NFL Draft. In a video on his X, Clark spoke highly of Love and his draft stock this year, putting him over Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who won this year’s NCAA championship.
For Clark, it boils down to what he witnessed from Love throughout his sophomore year in 2024 and his junior stint in the recently concluded 2025 college football campaign. Clark added that Love’s power and speed as a running back, coupled with his mental toughness, make him a destined star in his position in the NFL. The NFL analyst mentioned that this is backed by what Love has shown so far in the Combine.
“ Jeremiyah Love is the best player in this draft, and it really ain’t close. He was the best player in college football, too. It was actually underutilization at Notre Dame that probably cost him the Heisman [Trophy], but it’s gonna help him make an immediate impact as a rookie in the league. Yup, dude averaged 9.1 yards carry against light boxes, 6.9 yards per rush, and actually four and a half after contact ’cause he’s that dang talented,” Clark said.
Love just finished his third and final year with coach Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish team in the 2025 campaign before declaring for the NFL. In the said season, he led Notre Dame to an overall record of 10-2, but they could not make it to the college football playoffs.
Ryan Clark Is Ready To Put Jeremiyah Love Up With The Current NFL Running Back Stars
In the same video, Ryan Clark claimed that come the next NFL season, wherever Jeremiyah Love ends up, barring any injuries, he will already be up there with running back stars such as Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffery.
Clark explained why Love is a great prospect.
“ We talking Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley. We’re talking Jamir Gibbs, Bijon Robinson, Derrick Henry, all of these dudes that we put at the top of the top, he goes into conversation with them next year,” Clark shared.
Also Read: “Barely Faster Than Kadarius Toney”: Jeremiyah Love’s First Unofficial 40-Yard Time Sets Fans Abuzz
Read More: Ryan Clark Sets Record Straight as Alleged Racial Comments on Fernando Mendoza Catch Fire
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