In the humid heat of a late July morning in South Bend, the echoes of legendary Notre Dame tailbacks seemed to rise from the turf of the Irish practice field. This year, all eyes are on sophomore Jeremiyah Love, the electric, versatile back poised to headline a deep and dynamic 2025 Notre Dame running back corps. With the Fighting Irish setting their sights on a College Football Playoff push, the ground game—powered by Love’s speed and a stable of emerging talent—looks primed to lead the charge.
At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Love combines sprinter speed with a physical running style. Last season, he dazzled fans and frustrated defenders with 519 rushing yards on just 84 carries—averaging 6.2 yards per touch—and notched 5 total touchdowns. But it’s not just the stats. Love runs with a confidence born of preparation, patience, and a deep understanding of the offense. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock often describes him as “explosive in space and fearless in traffic,” and Love’s vision at the second level is reminiscent of past Irish greats.
Behind him, the Irish backfield is more than just insurance—it’s an arsenal. Junior Gi’Bran Payne is the quintessential change-of-pace back: compact, tough, and slippery. Payne, who rushed for 322 yards last year and proved his worth in blitz pickup, brings a gritty, downhill style that wears defenses down. Meanwhile, Jadarian Price, fully recovered from an Achilles injury two springs ago, has looked like his old self—showing burst and soft hands in the passing game. His versatility could make him a lethal option in two-back sets or on jet sweeps.
True freshman Aneyas Williams, the crown jewel of the 2025 recruiting class, has already turned heads in summer workouts. Coaches rave about his maturity, lateral quickness, and natural feel for zone-blocking schemes. While he may not see the lion’s share of touches early, insiders say it’s only a matter of time before he forces his way into the rotation.
The offensive line—anchored by All-American candidate Blake Fisher—only adds to the optimism. Known for their mauling run-blocking schemes, the line is built to wear teams down over four quarters, giving runners like Love the daylight they need to break long runs.
What sets this unit apart, though, is its versatility. With Love capable of splitting out wide, Payne thriving in short yardage, Price offering receiving upside, and Williams brimming with untapped potential, Denbrock has the rare luxury of tailoring packages based on matchups. Expect to see motion, misdirection, and creative alignments aimed at isolating linebackers and exploiting weaknesses.
In a season filled with championship hopes, the Irish run game may very well be the engine behind it all. And leading that charge is Jeremiyah Love—faster, stronger, and hungrier than ever. As fall camp looms, one thing is clear: Notre Dame’s backfield doesn’t just have depth. It has firepower.
