In the first game of the 2026 NFL season, there was plenty of talk about former Notre Dame players. Jadarian Price looked like a budding star when the Seahawks let him touch the ball. Eli Raridon got the first touchdown of the season and the first of his professional career. But Julian Love wasn't just overlooked on Wednesday; he’s been overlooked for years.
If Love continues to play as he did against the New England Patriots, the safety might finally take his place among some of the best at the position in the NFL that’s come out of South Bend. Granted, the big question is whether he can stay healthy after Love played just 8 games last season.
Love has been a plague on the Patriots, both in the Super Bowl and in the rematch earlier this week. Back in February, Love had 3 tackles, 1 pass breakup, and an interception that he returned for 35 yards. Drake Maye might politely ask the NFL not to schedule Seattle anymore, as Love was even better on Wednesday night.
The safety recorded 6 tackles, 2 stuffs, 1 pass breakup, and another interception. Considering Love hauled in the interception when the game was tied at 10-all and his team won 13-10, that pick was a big one in helping the Seahawks start the year 1-0 despite losing starting quarterback Sam Darnold due to injury just five plays into the showdown. According to Pro Football Focus, Love was the top-performing defender with a 90 overall rating. The next highest-rated defensive player was Nehemiah Pritchett, who earned an 80.7 rating.
Julian Love intercepted Drake Maye in the Super Bowl. He got him again tonight.
— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) September 10, 2026
One of the most underrated players in the NFL, out of Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/EAz53bubzo
Notre Dame football alum Julian Love earns 90 PFF grade with game-changing interception
When talking about the best safeties coming out of Notre Dame, experts often mention Kyle Hamilton on the Baltimore Ravens. Xavier Watts impressed the hell out of everyone with his rookie campaign with the Atlanta Falcons as well. However, Love has been in the NFL longer than either of them and has posted impressive numbers since his rookie campaign.
Starting in 2022, Julian Love took his game to another level. That was the first of three straight years in which he logged more than 100 tackles. In 2022, he had 124 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, and 3 stuffs.
In 2023, he logged 123 tackles, 4 INTs and a whopping 10 pass breakups. The following season, he tallied 109 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 12 pass breakups. Last year, even in just a half season, he had 34 tackles, 1 INT, and 6 pass breakups.
Now that he’s off to the kind of start he is, perhaps this will be the year that Julian Love starts getting included on the list when talking about the best safeties in the NFL to come out of Notre Dame.
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