Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love is the consensus top running back available in April's NFL Draft. He's a unique mix of talent with a unique side hustle.
"Off the field I play games, video games, and watch anime, and that's about it," Love said during last week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "So that's my way to decompress and take my mind away from the game for a little bit."
Many players talk about their "superpowers," and Love is certainly in possession of those on the gridiron. But as an insular youngster he marched to his own beat, a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of the "real" game he excels at.
"People thought that I was weird," Love, a St. Louis native told ESPN.com in August 2025. "I didn't really have friends. I didn't like to talk to people. I liked to play by myself. I just preferred it this way."
That sort of focus led him to the creation, along with his dad Jason and a team of developers, of his own anime and manga-inspired (think Japanese-style comic books and graphic novels) game called "Jeremonstar." Jeremiah and Monstar, on the football field. Guess who plays the leading role as the game's superstar!
As he matured and grew into a 6-0, 214-pound grinder out of the backfield, Love transformed that computer-based fantasy into reality. He has all the tools to make an immediate impact in the NFL -- speed, a quick burst, balance, change of direction, agile footwork and good hands catching the ball.
His 1,372 total rush yards (6.9 per carry) were among the top 10 this past season (with a long run of 94 yards) along with 18 TDs. He added 27 receptions for 280 yards (10.4 per catch) and 3 TDs. Overall, in his three seasons and 41 games with the Fighting Irish, Love compiled 433 carries for 2,882 yards (6.7 per) and 36 TD; plus 63 receptions for 594 yards and 6 TDs.