Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has claimed the top spot in ESPN\'s latest 2026 NFL draft rankings, released by draft analyst Matt Miller. The junior is positioned as the best prospect in the class ahead of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Miller\'s rankings, based on film study and conversations with NFL scouts, feature Love as a potential generational talent at the running back position. The evaluation includes 50 prospects with detailed scouting reports for each player.
Love brings elite three-down capabilities with home run speed demonstrated through multiple 90-plus-yard runs in his college career. He has hauled in 64 catches and six touchdown receptions across three seasons while displaying violent running at the point of attack.
Miller compared Love\'s skill set to former USC star Reggie Bush, calling him \"the closest thing to Reggie Bush as a prospect\" since Bush entered the NFL in 2006. Love possesses legitimate 4.4 speed combined with strong contact balance and open-field movement skills.
\"Love is an elite modern running back with true three-down skills,\" Miller wrote in his evaluation. \"He can deliver violent hits at the point of attack and has the contact balance to bounce off tacklers and stay upright.\"
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs ranks second, followed by Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese at third. Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. holds the fourth position, while Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza rounds out the top five.
Notre Dame also features backup running back Jadarian Price at No. 47, making the Fighting Irish the only school with multiple running backs in the top 50. Price serves as the second-best running back prospect in Miller\'s rankings.
Miller noted that rankings will continue evolving through April as more film study, pre-draft evaluations and all-star games provide additional information on prospects.
ESPN\'s Top 50 Prospects For 2026 NFL Draft
1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
3. Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State
4. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
5. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
6. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
7. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
8. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
9. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
10. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
11. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
12. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
13. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
14. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
15. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
16. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
17. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
18. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
19. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
20. Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
21. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
22. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
23. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
24. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
25. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
26. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
27. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
28. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
29. T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
30. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
31. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
32. LT Overton, Edge, Alabama
33. Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon
34. Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan
35. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
36. Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee
37. A\'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
38. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
39. Quincy Rhodes Jr., Edge, Arkansas
40. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
41. Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
42. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
43. Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
44. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
45. Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
46. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
47. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
48. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
49. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
50. Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Via Matt Miller/ESPN