Despite the ever-present hope that a star player would return for another season with their collegiate program, it came as no surprise when Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love announced he had declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
While his departure broke hearts for the Fighting Irish, it wasn't exactly an easy decision for Love to leave the program that turned him into the legendary and elite player that he is today, and it hasn't gotten any easier with time.
"The deeper I get into this NFL process, I think about what could have been," Love told On3's J.D. PicKell. "I could be grinding with my boys, preparing for a revenge season. I could definitely see myself going back."
Of course, Love helped carry (literally) the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to their appearance in the 2025 National Championship game, and was the star of the show when the team was snubbed from the College Football Playoff last season.
Jeremiyah Love clearly misses the Fighting Irish
The connections and bonds built throughout a collegiate career are unlike any other, even in the modern era of college football, with NIL deals and the transfer portal allowing players to come and go with ease.
Love, unsurprisingly, was as loyal as they come, playing all three of his college seasons with the Fighting Irish and never even toeing the line of the portal.
However, when you're as good an athlete and football player as Love is, it is impossible to turn down the NFL and jumping at that opportunity a year earlier than you have to can't be frowned upon.
Love is the kind of athlete who will find success no matter where he lands, and the Fighting Irish were undeniably lucky and grateful to have three seasons with him. On the other side of things, he was clearly grateful for his three seasons at Notre Dame.
The 2026 NFL Draft, which will undoubtedly feature Love's name being called out in the first few picks, will kick off on Thursday, April 23, and will carry through to Saturday, April 25.