NFL draft position preview: How high can running back Jeremiyah Love go?
A Heisman Trophy finalist and the 2025 Doak Award winner, Love is electric and explosive. He did not fumble once in his three years at Notre Dame and had just one drop last season.
This is the second in a series previewing position groups for the 2026 NFL draft. Today: running backs.
The University of Notre Dame truly was blessed this year when it came to its running back room.
The Irish boasted Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The two combined for 2,046 yards and 29 rushing touchdowns on the ground. Love got the bulk of the work, with Price providing a steady backup.
The two are close; they were roommates for Notre Dame road games and again at the NFL scouting combine. There, Love had high praise for his teammate.
“Very valuable,” Love said of Price at the combine. “JD has the opportunity and the potential to be one of the best running backs in the league. As long as he goes into it with a humble mind and just a hunger to work and just compete. You know, JD, sky’s the limit for JD.”
But there are limits for any running back making the jump to the NFL, and the draft showcases it. The position has been devalued in ways over recent years. A premier back like Love will still go early, but after that, it could be a bit between running back names, even with a versatile class.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is the top-ranked running back leading into the NFL draft.
Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press
Overall position ranking: 6/10.
The University of Notre Dame truly was blessed this year when it came to its running back room.
The Irish boasted Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The two combined for 2,046 yards and 29 rushing touchdowns on the ground. Love got the bulk of the work, with Price providing a steady backup.
The two are close; they were roommates for Notre Dame road games and again at the NFL scouting combine. There, Love had high praise for his teammate.
“Very valuable,” Love said of Price at the combine. “JD has the opportunity and the potential to be one of the best running backs in the league. As long as he goes into it with a humble mind and just a hunger to work and just compete. You know, JD, sky’s the limit for JD.”
But there are limits for any running back making the jump to the NFL, and the draft showcases it. The position has been devalued in ways over recent years. A premier back like Love will still go early, but after that, it could be a bit between running back names, even with a versatile class.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is the top-ranked running back leading into the NFL draft.
Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press
Overall position ranking: 6/10.
Bills view: The sneaky need here is actually at fullback. The Buffalo Bills let Reggie Gilliam walk – to the New England Patriots, no less – but head coach Joe Brady could potentially want a fullback option in the mix. As far as running backs, James Cook proved his contract extension more than worth it last season, winning the league’s rushing title. Ty Johnson, Ray Davis and Frank Gore Jr. remain on the roster, a perfect carryover of last season’s running backs room. But the league career span of running backs is short. It behooves teams to keep the future in mind.
Bills need ranking: 4/10.
The best: Love. A Heisman Trophy finalist and the 2025 Doak Award winner, given to the nation’s top running back, Love is electric and explosive. He did not fumble once in his three years at Notre Dame, and per PFF, he had just one drop last season.
Names to know: Price, Mike Washington Jr. and Jonah Coleman. Price may take a hit for playing second fiddle to Love. In four seasons at Notre Dame, he never started, with Love getting things going for the Irish. But Price still contributed to the group project. His three career punt return touchdowns could help him get a start on special teams.
Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr., competing in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, is a former three-year player for University at Buffalo.
Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Washington is a New York native who spent the first three seasons of his college career at University at Buffalo. But there, he faced constant changes at both head coach and position coach. He then spent a year at New Mexico State before rounding out school at Arkansas. The Ringer’s NFL Draft Guide compares Washington to running back Latavius Murray, who spent the twilight of his career with the Bills. Washington is big and can be punishing, and he was named second-team All-SEC in 2025.
Bills need ranking: 4/10.
The best: Love. A Heisman Trophy finalist and the 2025 Doak Award winner, given to the nation’s top running back, Love is electric and explosive. He did not fumble once in his three years at Notre Dame, and per PFF, he had just one drop last season.
Names to know: Price, Mike Washington Jr. and Jonah Coleman. Price may take a hit for playing second fiddle to Love. In four seasons at Notre Dame, he never started, with Love getting things going for the Irish. But Price still contributed to the group project. His three career punt return touchdowns could help him get a start on special teams.
Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr., competing in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, is a former three-year player for University at Buffalo.
Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Washington is a New York native who spent the first three seasons of his college career at University at Buffalo. But there, he faced constant changes at both head coach and position coach. He then spent a year at New Mexico State before rounding out school at Arkansas. The Ringer’s NFL Draft Guide compares Washington to running back Latavius Murray, who spent the twilight of his career with the Bills. Washington is big and can be punishing, and he was named second-team All-SEC in 2025.
With two seasons at Arizona and two at Washington, Coleman saw his number of rushing touchdowns increase every season, from 4 to 5 to 10 to 15.
Intriguing: Kaelon Black. Like the Notre Dame duo, Indiana split the backfield between Black and fellow running back Roman Hemby. Black still was able to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards, and his 10 touchdowns on the ground helped bolster Indiana’s spectacular season. Even after the long season, punctuated with a national title, Black attended the Senior Bowl, in Mobile, Ala., where he stood out.
Sleeper: Rahsul Faison. Faison is 26 – 26! – years old, which would be a concern at any position, but especially at running back. He was enrolled at five different schools throughout his college career, but he still has limited tape. His most productive season was in 2024 at Utah State, when he had 1,109 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 198 carries.
Intriguing: Kaelon Black. Like the Notre Dame duo, Indiana split the backfield between Black and fellow running back Roman Hemby. Black still was able to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards, and his 10 touchdowns on the ground helped bolster Indiana’s spectacular season. Even after the long season, punctuated with a national title, Black attended the Senior Bowl, in Mobile, Ala., where he stood out.
Sleeper: Rahsul Faison. Faison is 26 – 26! – years old, which would be a concern at any position, but especially at running back. He was enrolled at five different schools throughout his college career, but he still has limited tape. His most productive season was in 2024 at Utah State, when he had 1,109 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 198 carries.
Top 10
| Rank | Name | School | Ht. | Wt. |
| 1 | Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame | 6-0 | 212 |
| 2 | Jadarian Price | Notre Dame | 5-11 | 203 |
| 3 | Mike Washington Jr. | Arkansas | 6-1 | 223 |
| 4 | Jonah Coleman | Washington | 5-8 | 220 |
| 5 | Emmett Johnson | Nebraska | 5-10 | 202 |
| 6 | Kaytron Allen | Penn State | 5-11 | 216 |
| 7 | Nicholas Singleton | Penn State | 6-0 | 219 |
| 8 | Eli Heidenreich | Navy | 6-0 | 206 |
| 9 | Demond Clairborne | Wake Forest | 5-10 | 188 |
| 10 | Kaelon Black | Indiana | 5-10 | 210 |