Jeremiyah Love has made an impressive mark this season as he has accumulated 1,409 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns, with two regular-season games left to play. Despite these standout statistics, Love’s chances of winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy remain slim, with current betting odds listing him as a longshot at +2500.
Notably, the last running back awarded the Heisman was Derrick Henry of Alabama in 2015, while the latest recipient from Notre Dame was wide receiver Tim Brown in 1987. ESPN’s Joe Tessitore, however, expressed confidence in Love’s qualifications following a decisive 37-15 victory for Notre Dame over Pittsburgh, a game where Love showcased his talent with a spectacular 56-yard touchdown run. Tessitore referred to Love as “the best player in college football” and highlighted his versatility on the field, capable of making dynamic game-breaking plays as well as handling tough, short-yardage situations.
During the game against Pittsburgh, Love recorded 147 rushing yards on 23 carries, marking his fifth game this season with over 100 rushing yards. With the Irish’s upcoming matchups against struggling teams like Syracuse and Stanford, the focus will be on whether Love can elevate his performances further.
As of now, Love finds himself ranking third in FBS statistics, trailing behind four quarterbacks in the race for the Heisman award. He is positioned behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed, and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. Notre Dame’s quarterback CJ Carr is also in the mix but with long odds at +30000.
As the Heisman voting approaches, with ballots being distributed on December 1 and due on December 8, Love’s future hangs in the balance. The Heisman ceremony will take place in New York City on December 13, and fans are eager to see if Love can overcome the obstacles and make a historic run for the award.