Since the NCAA’s 2021 Name‑Image‑Likeness (NIL) ruling, college athletes have the legal right to profit from their own brands. Gone are the days when players wore only their uniforms—now, stars are not just on the field but in commercials, video games, and social media campaigns. As a result, powerhouse programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Texas A&M routinely compete with high-seven-figure NIL packages to secure the top recruits
Amid this arms race, Jeremiah Love, Notre Dame’s electrifying running back, found himself courted with one of the largest offers ever seen: a stunning $4.5 million NIL offer from Georgia .
- Elite Recruit & Dynamic Playmaker: A Missouri native, Love was ranked a top‑80 recruit nationwide, and among the top three running backs in the 2023 high school class .
- Player Profile:
- 6′1″, 195 lb
- 1,125+ rushing yards, 17 TDs on 163 carries in 2024
- Over 28 receptions adding two more scores
- Running Style: Known for his explosive acceleration, home-run ability, and ESPN-worthy hurdles. Fans on Reddit raved that he’s “one of the most effortless and beautiful hurdles [they]’ve seen” (Reddit).
He emerged as a key piece in Notre Dame’s offense and was widely considered a Heisman contender and Doak Walker candidate (College Sports Network).
3. The Georgia Offer: A Turning Point
Georgia’s $4.5 million NIL package would’ve placed Love among the highest-earning college athletes ever and opened doors to major brand endorsements. While precise breakdowns weren’t released, the offer reportedly included:
- Brand sponsorships
- Full endorsement rights
- High-profile marketing opportunities tied to the Bulldogs’ national championship pursuit (Sportsera)
It was a bold statement: Georgia saw Love as a potential face of their program.
4. Why He Said “No”: Loyalty, Identity & Belonging
When Love announced he would stay at Notre Dame, he gave a simple but powerful message: “I don’t have any plans other than to become a Dame” (supersportupdate.co.uk).
a. Tradition & Culture
- From day one, he’s embraced Notre Dame’s storied legacy. He’s spoken widely about the connection he feels to the “football family” and its emphasis on character, academics, and community .
- University President-aspiring: “everything you could look for in a school”—academics, sports, and a supportive fan base (Sports Illustrated).
b. Relationships
- He has a strong bond with Coach Marcus Freeman and RB coach Deland McCullough, echoing how “they speak the same football language” (Sports Illustrated).
- Chris Slater (Georgia recruiter) likely had impressive credentials, but according to Love, nothing matched the bond in South Bend (matchnews360.com).
c. Personal Growth & Legacy
- Love wasn’t chasing a quick dollar. He remarked: “I didn’t come to Notre Dame for a quick payday— I came here to be part of something special, something that lasts.” (matchnews360.com)
- He wants to build more than stats—legacy, character, and generational impact.
5. NIL Success, but on His Terms
Turning down $4.5M doesn’t mean he walked away from NIL. Love has:
- Signed with Athlete Advantage, a non-exclusive agency, giving him free rein to find deals (supersportupdate.co.uk, On3).
- A On3 NIL valuation in the $1.6 million–$2.8 million range (March 2025: $1.6M; later reported $2.8M) (College Sports Network).
- Major endorsement deals:
- EA Sports: Cover athlete for College Football 26 (DezzySport).
- Brands: Red Bull, Lululemon, Stanley, Ricart Automotive (Sportskeeda).
- Personal touches: Shared that he bought his mother a Porsche with his NIL earnings (matchnews360.com).
In other words, he’s earning big—but on his terms, not someone else’s.
6. The Ripple Effects of His Choice
a. Recruits & Recruiting
- For Notre Dame: Love represents a model recruit: someone who performs at a high level and values institution over dollars.
- Quote from College Football Network: “A special player like Jeremiah Love being at Notre Dame at a time like this … means you have a blueprint to pitch to any playmaker.” (College Sports Network)
b. The NIL Conversation
- His decision challenges the narrative that NIL equates to instant riches and constant school-hopping.
- Rediscovered value of long-term fit, culture, education and legacy.
c. NCAA Landscape
- Sets a precedent: student-athletes can turn away massive NIL offers and still thrive on alternative deals.
- Suggests athlete agency—especially those who want it—is becoming as important as institutional power.
7. Notre Dame “Wins”—On All Fronts
On the Field
- Love’s talent and chemistry with coaches makes ND a legitimate national title contender.
- A dynamic, multi-threat runner, he offers matchup nightmares and generational highlights.
Off the Field
- Notre Dame bolsters its brand—showing that winning isn’t just about NIL money, but relationships and shared purpose.
- Love’s story is now a cornerstone of their pitch: academic excellence + championship culture.
Alumni & Community
- Love has already begun paying it forward—pledging $10 million to fund NIL for future ND student-athletes
- That shows not only loyalty, but investment in the program’s sustainable success.
On-field: He’s expected to continue as a workhorse and playmaker—possibly winning top accolades like the Doak Walker Award
Off-field:
- More NIL income through smart endorsements
- A growing public profile
- His $10M fund—if realized—could reshape athlete support programs nationwide
Long-term:
- NFL future remains bright. But whether he enters after another stellar season or stays for another year, he’s building a legacy that transcends football.
Jeremiah Love’s choice is a defining story of the NIL era—not because he walked away from money, but because he walked toward something bigger than himself. It points to a future where college stars might put values, purpose, and personal growth ahead of the highest bidder. And with a billion-dollar Notre Dame powerhouse behind him, Love isn’t just running the ball—he’s running a movement.
