The NFL Scouting Combine is where dreams are turbocharged, and on Saturday, Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love hit the nitrous oxide. In a display of pure, unadulterated speed, the Heisman Trophy finalist scorched the Lucas Oil Stadium turf with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, sending his draft stock into the stratosphere and stealing the spotlight in Indianapolis.
A Rare Breed of Speed
In today's NFL, elite straight-line speed at the running back position is a coveted rarity. Jeremiyah Love isn't just bucking that trend; he's obliterating it. His official time stood as the second-fastest among all running backs at the event and ranked among the top ten performances overall before the receivers even took the field. This wasn't just a good run; it was a statement that he possesses a game-breaking gear few at his position can match.
Only a handful of other backs managed to dip below the coveted 4.40-second barrier. However, none carry the same first-round pedigree and proven production that Love brings from his dominant career in South Bend. This performance created a clear, speed-infused separation between him and the rest of the pack.
The Resume Backs Up the Hype
The blistering 40 time wasn't an isolated flash. It's the exclamation point on a phenomenal collegiate career. Over his final two seasons with the Fighting Irish, Love was a touchdown machine and a yardage monster, amassing nearly 3,000 total scrimmage yards and finding the end zone 40 times. His staggering average of 6.9 yards per carry demonstrates a consistent ability to turn any touch into a big play.
His on-field excellence earned him a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2025, where he finished third in the voting behind quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Diego Pavia. That pedigree, combined with his Combine explosion, paints the picture of a complete, blue-chip prospect.
The Draft Day Question
The immediate question now is how high this performance will propel him on draft night. Love was already the consensus top running back available and widely viewed as the only surefire top-50 talent at the position. His Combine showing only solidified that status and has analysts wondering if he could crash the first-round party.
Since 2015, running backs have become increasingly scarce in the top ten picks. Could Love be the exception? His combination of proven production, pass-catching ability, and now, verified elite speed, makes a compelling case. Will a team fall in love with his potential and call his name on Day 1, similar to Ashton Jeanty's selection a year ago?
One thing is certain: Jeremiyah Love didn't just participate in the Combine; he dominated it. He answered every physical question with authority and left no doubt about his athletic ceiling. For NFL teams in need of a dynamic, home-run hitter in their backfield, Love just made himself impossible to ignore.
