Notre Dame is tied for second all-time with the most Heisman Trophy winners, as seven former Fighting Irish players have earned what is considered the highest honor for a college footballplayer.
With Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy, the thirty-plus year drought for Notre Dame continues.
Could Notre Dame finally have a player win the Heisman Trophy for the first time since 1987, when Tim Brown won the award? Well, ESPN thinks that Notre Dame has one of the top 2025 contenders for the award. ESPN college football writer Mark Schlabach put together a list of 14 top contenders for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, and Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love was the second player on his list.
Love has been outstanding all season for the Irish, If his 7.08 yards per attempt average hold it would ranks as the 8th best single season mark in Notre Dame history.
Notre Dame still has plenty to play for in 2024, and Love will be a key figure in any kind of run the Irish can make. Splitting carries all season with Price and Leonard allows Love to enter the postseason with a bit less wear and tear on his body than other top backs. He was banged up in the second half of the win over USC, but Love is expected to be good to go against Indiana.
Looking ahead to 2025, Love will once again for a dynamic one-two punch with Price. One difference about next year’s offense will be that Notre Dame is unlikely to have a quarterback that will run the ball as much as Leonard did this season. Leonard’s 721 yards and 124 carries will be split more between Love and Price than it will his replacement at quarterback. Love could also be used more in the pass game next season.
Notre Dame should also have a far more experienced offensive line next season, and the offense will also get back Charles Jagusah and Ashton Craig up front.
If Love can build on his 2024 campaign and remain healthy there is little doubt he’ll see another jump in production. Notre Dame also has a number of marquee games next season that includes a season-opening road game against Miami (Fla.), home games against USC, Boise State and Texas A&M, and a road game at Arkansas.
