Jeremiyah Love Clinches 2025 Doak Walker Award
Junior running back Jeremiyah Love has officially been awarded the prestigious 2025 Doak Walker Award, recognizing him as the top running back in college football. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Notre Dame, as Love becomes the first player in the program’s history to win this award.
Historic Accomplishments
Previously, only one Irish player, Reggie Brooks, had been a finalist for the Doak Walker Award back in 1992. Beyond this accolade, Love is also a national finalist for multiple awards, including the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Player of the Year, and the Maxwell Award. His remarkable performance throughout the season has earned him the 2025 Disney Spirit Award, celebrating the most inspirational figure in college football.
Impressive Season Statistics
During the 2025 season, Love showcased exceptional skills, recording:
- 199 rush attempts for 1,372 yards
- 18 rushing touchdowns
- 27 receptions for 280 yards
- 3 receiving touchdowns
He averaged an impressive 6.9 yards per attempt while sharing the backfield with teammate Jadarian Price, who also had a standout season with:
- 113 rushes for 674 yards
- 11 rushing touchdowns
National Rankings and Records
Throughout the regular season, Love distinguished himself as a leading player, ranking:
- 2nd in total scoring (10.5 points per game)
- 2nd in total points (126)
- 2nd in total touchdowns (21)
- 3rd in rushing touchdowns (18)
- 4th in rushing yards (1,372)
- 5th in all-purpose yards (137.67)
In addition to his scoring prowess, he is the only player among six to rush for over 1,300 yards this season, while also sharing the field with another running back accumulating at least 600 rushing yards.
Remarkable Game Highlights
One of Love’s standout performances occurred in a decisive 70-7 victory against Syracuse, where he managed:
- 8 carries for 171 yards
- 3 touchdowns, averaging 21.4 yards per carry
This exceptional game placed him among elite company, becoming just the third player since 1996 to achieve such a feat on so few carries.
Milestones Achieved
In a notable moment against Stanford, Love scored on the opening drive, setting a new record for the program’s single-season touchdowns with 21, surpassing the legendary Jerome Bettis. He also tied the record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season at Notre Dame with 18, matching Audric Estimé’s achievement from 2023.
Recognitions Throughout the Season
Jeremiyah Love has earned numerous accolades this season, including being named:
- The Associated Press National Player of the Week
- The Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week
This recognition followed his incredible 228 rushing yards in a 34-24 victory against USC, making it the highest single-game rushing total for any Notre Dame player at home.
Adding to his impressive resume, Love made history by being the first Irish player to accomplish two 90-yard rushing touchdowns in his career, with touchdowns of 98 yards against Indiana in 2024 and 94 yards at Boston College in 2025.
As the winner of the 2025 Doak Walker Award, Jeremiyah Love’s contributions to college football have set a new standard, and he continues to inspire future generations of players.
