The Dallas Cowboys have been searching for a true workhorse running back since Ezekiel Elliott’s dominant years, and the answer might be just a draft away. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, a dynamic and explosive talent, is emerging as a prime candidate to become the Cowboys’ next RB1. Early 2026 NFL mock drafts are buzzing with projections linking the sophomore sensation to Dallas in the first round, and it’s easy to see why.
Love lit up college football in 2024, racking up an impressive 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on just 163 carries—an eye-popping 6.9 yards per rush. His blend of efficiency, explosiveness, and physicality sets him apart. Whether he’s powering through tackles in tight spaces or bursting into the open field for big gains, Love’s combination of vision, speed, and strength has NFL scouts salivating. Pro Football Focus underscored his dominance, awarding him a 91.8 rushing grade, one of the highest in the nation for the 2024 season.
On this day we celebrate the time that Jeremiyah Love & the Force defeated Darth Carter!👀🫶
May The 4th Be With You🫶☘️ pic.twitter.com/PvqUet9nvB
— Ryan Fravel (@Fravel_Ryan) May 4, 2025
The hype around Love isn’t just speculation. Respected outlets like CBS Sports, WalterFootball, and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler have all connected the Notre Dame star to the Cowboys in their early mock drafts. Brugler went as far as calling Love the only running back deserving of a first-round grade at this stage, a testament to his unique skill set. Cowboys fans are already on board, with Love’s name trending online, jersey mockups circulating, and visions of No. 6 tearing through defenses at AT&T Stadium fueling excitement across Cowboys Nation.
With one more college season to go, Love has a golden opportunity to cement his status as a can’t-miss prospect. Notre Dame’s transition to a new quarterback in 2025 means Love will likely shoulder even more of the offensive burden. If he delivers another standout performance, the Cowboys could see him as the perfect cornerstone to revitalize their ground game. Come April 2026, Dallas might be ready to go all in to bring Jeremiyah Love to Big D, ending their search for a game-changing running back.