Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love Isn’t Looking for Bubble Wrap — He’s Looking for a Bigger Role in 2025

At this stage in fall camp, with the season opener inching closer and the weight of expectations settling in, most programs would be cautious with a player as valuable and dynamic as Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. But Love isn’t built for caution. He doesn’t want to be protected or preserved. He wants to be unleashed. And inside the walls of the Irish football facility, it’s becoming increasingly clear: there’s no bubble wrap for No. 12. Jeremiyah Love is pushing for more — more carries, more responsibility, and more impact — as he emerges as one of the most important figures in Notre Dame’s 2025 offensive blueprint.

The former four-star recruit from St. Louis, Missouri, arrived in South Bend with speed, versatility, and track-star explosiveness. As a freshman, Love quickly turned heads with his elusiveness in space, his maturity in the film room, and his refusal to shy away from contact — traits that separated him from the pack in a crowded running back room. While his touches were limited in 2024 due to a deep rotation and an emphasis on veteran experience, Love made every snap count. When the ball was in his hands, the Notre Dame offense felt different — faster, more dangerous, and unpredictable.

Now, in 2025, he’s no longer waiting his turn. He’s demanding it.

As camp practices roll on under the summer sun, Love has not been resting or being held back. On the contrary, he’s been one of the most active participants in full-speed drills, taking hits, running with the ones, catching passes out of the backfield, and proving on a daily basis that he’s not just ready for more — he’s built for it. The Irish coaching staff, led by head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, has taken note. There’s a growing understanding inside the program that this season, the offense will need to run through No. 12 in more ways than one.

Love’s push for a bigger role is not just about wanting more touches — it’s about being the guy. While Notre Dame traditionally leans on a running back-by-committee approach, Love’s unique skill set makes that harder to do. At 6-foot-1 and around 205 pounds, he has the frame to absorb contact and finish runs between the tackles. But what separates him is what happens after he breaks through the first level. He’s simply one of the fastest players on the team — and that’s not an exaggeration. His top-end speed gives Notre Dame something they haven’t consistently had in recent years: a home-run threat on any given down.

In an offense that will be led by a new starting quarterback, likely transfer Riley Leonard or ascending sophomore Kenny Minchey, having a reliable weapon like Love is crucial. It takes pressure off the quarterback, keeps defenses honest, and opens up play-action opportunities that Denbrock wants to explore more aggressively in 2025. In practice, Love has been lining up in multiple formations — not just in the backfield, but motioning out wide, running wheel routes, and catching screens in space. The message from the coaching staff is clear: they want him on the field as much as possible, in as many ways as possible.

Teammates, too, are starting to speak about Love in different terms. Veteran offensive linemen have praised his vision and patience, noting how he waits for blocks to develop but can still hit a second gear when needed. Wide receivers are quick to highlight his ability to catch passes and create after the catch. Even defensive players, during post-practice interviews, have mentioned how difficult it is to keep up with him in open-field tackling drills. Love isn’t just competing — he’s setting the tone.

But what may be most impressive about Love’s camp performance is his attitude. Despite his rising profile and the national attention starting to follow him, he remains focused and grounded. When asked recently about his workload, Love smiled and said, “I don’t want to be held back. I want the ball. I want to show I can carry the load.” That mindset is exactly what the coaching staff wants from its leaders. And Love, whether he realizes it or not, is quickly becoming one.

There’s also an edge to Love that wasn’t as visible a year ago. It’s not cocky — it’s confident. It’s the edge of someone who knows what he brings to the table and knows it’s time to stop waiting to be noticed. In practice, he’s taken on more vocal leadership, pulling younger backs aside for tips and encouragement, or speaking up in huddles. It’s clear he’s embracing the full responsibility that comes with being a feature back at Notre Dame — something that requires not just ability, but accountability.

The physical side is holding up, too. One of the reasons bubble wrap might have made sense early in camp is because of how much the team expects to rely on him. But Love is showing durability and bounce-back speed. He’s taken hard hits in padded practices, popped right back up, and often asked for more reps. He’s a coach’s dream in that sense — no complaints, just work. And his work ethic is becoming infectious.

For Notre Dame, the emergence of Jeremiyah Love as a true offensive centerpiece could be season-defining. With a strong offensive line in front of him and an improving passing game alongside him, Love has the chance to become one of the most productive backs in the country. He’s the kind of player that defensive coordinators must plan around. He forces safeties to play deeper, linebackers to spy, and edge rushers to stay home. Every time he lines up, the entire defense has to shift.

Beyond the X’s and O’s, Love represents something else for this Irish team: the hunger to prove that they can compete at the highest level. Notre Dame has been on the doorstep in recent years, pushing into the national spotlight with top-ten finishes, playoff aspirations, and elite recruiting classes. But the next step — winning it all — requires stars like Love to rise. Not just to play well, but to lead, to inspire, and to tilt the field every Saturday.

As the season approaches, there’s no longer any talk of keeping Love in a protective shell. That phase is over. Now it’s about unleashing him fully — as a runner, a pass-catcher, and a leader. The offensive staff is designing plays to maximize his explosiveness. The strength and conditioning staff is managing his workload not to hold him back, but to keep him primed. And most of all, Love himself is pushing every day — for the ball, for more responsibility, and for a shot at greatness.

There’s still plenty of camp left, and a full season to be played. But if what’s happening in August is any indication, Jeremiyah Love won’t be a supporting act in 2025. He’s going to be the show. No bubble wrap. No limits. Just a rising star on a mission — and a Notre Dame team that looks ready to follow him.