Great Day to Be a Notre Dame Running Back
There are days in college football where everything seems to align just right. Momentum builds. Headlines stack. Achievements pile up like perfectly blocked runs leading to the end zone. Today is one of those days — not just for Notre Dame Football, but for the proud tradition of Fighting Irish running backs. From South Bend to Los Angeles, Notre Dame’s backfield legacy is thriving. It’s a remarkable day where both past and present Irish standouts have etched their names into the sport’s ever-growing story. With three current running backs — Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, and Gi’Bran Payne-Williams — nominated for the prestigious 2025 Doak Walker Award, Notre Dame alum Kyren Williams inking a massive NFL extension, and Jeremiyah Love landing a major NIL deal with New Balance, the message is clear: it’s a great day to be a Notre Dame running back.
The Doak Walker Award, named after the legendary SMU running back and given annually to the best college running back in the country, is the gold standard for excellence in the backfield. For any program to have a single player nominated is a feat in itself. But for Notre Dame, three of its backs are officially on the 2025 watchlist. That’s more than any other program in the nation — and a testament to the depth, versatility, and explosiveness that Notre Dame’s ground game brings to the field week in and week out.
Jeremiyah Love, the electric sophomore back out of St. Louis, has taken the country by storm since stepping onto the field. With world-class speed and razor-sharp instincts, Love is the kind of player who turns routine handoffs into highlight reels. This season, he’s already tallied over 800 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, slicing through defenses with the kind of burst you usually only see on Sundays. But his contributions go far beyond the stat sheet. Whether he’s catching passes out of the backfield, returning kicks, or drawing defenders’ attention to open up teammates, Love has been a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s offense — and a clear candidate for national recognition.
Jadarian Price brings a different flavor to the backfield. A patient, powerful runner with elite vision, Price has emerged as one of the most dependable backs in the country. His ability to break tackles and keep the chains moving has made him a coach’s dream and a fan favorite. When the game is on the line, Price is the kind of back you want carrying the ball. Already known for his leadership and work ethic, he’s now earned the respect of voters and analysts alike with a nomination that speaks to his consistency and heart. With over 750 rushing yards, multiple 100-yard performances, and a punishing style that wears down even the most physical defenses, Price is the ultimate complement to Love’s lightning.
And then there’s Gi’Bran Payne-Williams, the physical, do-it-all hybrid back who rounds out this terrifying trio. Whether he’s lowering his shoulder through the middle, catching swing passes in space, or throwing a textbook block to spring his quarterback, Payne-Williams embodies the complete back. He may not always lead the team in carries, but his impact is undeniable. His nomination proves that versatility, toughness, and high football IQ are just as worthy of recognition as raw numbers. Together, Love, Price, and Payne-Williams have created one of the most dangerous, respected, and feared running back rooms in all of college football. Each brings his own unique style, but all carry the same fire — the same tradition. The same gold-standard mindset.
As if having three Doak Walker candidates wasn’t enough, Notre Dame fans were given even more reason to celebrate when news broke that former Irish standout Kyren Williams signed a massive $33 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams. It’s a deal that reflects Williams’ incredible rise in the NFL and serves as a proud moment for the entire Notre Dame family. Williams, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher for the Irish, was beloved in South Bend for his relentless motor, gritty running style, and leadership. His performances in the blue and gold were often the difference between victory and defeat, and he carried that same mentality into the pros.
Since joining the Rams, Kyren has steadily grown into one of the most productive and reliable running backs in the league. His ability to contribute in all phases — running, receiving, blocking — has made him a cornerstone of the Rams’ offense. With this new deal, he not only secures his future financially but also solidifies his place as one of the top backs in the NFL. It’s not just a win for Kyren — it’s a win for Notre Dame. It’s proof that the program doesn’t just produce great college players — it builds pros. Smart, durable, coachable, professional athletes who thrive at the next level.
While Kyren Williams was celebrating his career-defining moment in the NFL, current star Jeremiyah Love was making headlines of his own. In a significant move for the future of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals in college football, Love has officially joined the New Balance football roster in a groundbreaking partnership. This deal represents more than just a sponsorship — it’s a declaration that Love is a national figure, both on and off the field. It puts him among the select group of collegiate athletes whose brand transcends the game.
New Balance, traditionally associated with running and training shoes, has been making a bold push into football, aligning itself with top-tier talent across the sport. By choosing Jeremiyah Love as a representative, they’ve attached their name to a player who is not only fast and flashy but intelligent, humble, and marketable. The deal reportedly includes a custom line of cleats, exclusive appearances, social media campaigns, and even community-based initiatives — areas where Love has already shown interest and leadership. For a player just beginning his college journey, this partnership speaks volumes about the kind of future he’s building.
But more than the endorsement money or the headlines, what makes this day so powerful is what it represents about Notre Dame Football — and specifically its running back tradition. From the days of Jerome Bettis and Ricky Watters to more recent stars like Josh Adams and Kyren Williams, the Irish backfield has always been a place of excellence. Now, with three potential All-Americans, one NFL star, and a major NIL trailblazer, that tradition is not just alive — it’s flourishing.
And the best part? This is only the beginning. Notre Dame’s recruiting pipeline remains one of the strongest in the country. The coaching staff has built a system that highlights the talents of multiple backs, promotes player development, and prepares athletes for the next level. Running backs in South Bend don’t just carry the ball — they carry the torch. And right now, it’s burning brighter than ever.
The buzz around campus is undeniable. Students, alumni, and fans are united in celebration — not just because of today’s accolades, but because of what they mean for the season ahead. The Irish are in playoff contention, the offense is clicking, and the backfield has never looked better. Every Saturday this fall, the country will be watching Love, Price, and Payne-Williams — not just as teammates, but as contenders, future pros, and standard-bearers for one of the proudest positions in college football.
Whether you’re a Notre Dame die-hard or a casual college football fan, days like this don’t come often. Three Doak Walker nominees. A massive NFL contract for a proud alum. A major NIL partnership for a rising star. It’s a celebration of the past, present, and future — all rolled into one unforgettable moment.
So yes — it’s a great day to be a Notre Dame running back. But perhaps more importantly, it’s a great day to be part of a program that still values toughness, excellence, and brotherhood. Because as the trophies, contracts, and partnerships show, being an Irish back means more than yards or stats — it means legacy. And this legacy, as of today, has never been stronger.
