‘What you did last year don’t matter’ – Notre Dame assistant coach resets expectations for Irish star heading into 2025 season 

Notre Dame football has a clean slate heading into the 2025 CFB season.

Ryan Roberts National College Football Writer
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MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Heading into the 2025 college football season, Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love is considered to be arguably the top playmaker in the entire country. The rising junior is fresh off of a dominant season, exploding for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Love also added another 28 receptions for 237 yards and two more scores as a receiver. 

Widely considered the top running back in college football, and a potential first rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft class, there’s a lot to love about what Love brings to the table, no pun intended. The 6-0, 214-pound athlete is an impressive combination of explosiveness, big play ability, and pass catching upside. 

Love is a stellar overall talent. 

Despite all the accolades and fans out there, Irish running back coach Ja’Juan Seider is consistently reminding Love that there is still a level he hasn’t quite reached just yet. On a recent episode of Flo Factory Podcast, Coach Seider spoke with Corry Knowles about Love, and his potential to get even better in 2025. 

“Every kid has room to grow. We have a good room here. Like I said, iron always sharpens iron. He has guys in that room that push him every day, Jadarian (Price), Aneyas (Williams), Gi’Bran (Payne), Kedren (Young), Nolan James. So every day you have to go to work. 

What you did last year don’t matter. What you do this year, your standard for what you want, it’s got to change. You can’t get away doing the same things you did last year. Guess what, defenses get smarter. They know how to play and defend you. So our deal was knowledge.”

It is truly remarkable to see how deep and talented the Notre Dame running back room has become. Former running back coach Deland McCullough deserves a lot of the credit before he left for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. Coach Seider is looking to continue that momentum in a big way. 

When it comes to Love, Coach Seider has a remarkable challenge in front of him. If Love is just as good as last season, he is outstanding, and arguably the best running back they have had in South Bend in a very long time. If Seider is able to get more out of Love, then we are talking about a Notre Dame legend. 

Along with Price, Williams, and the rest of the Irish running back room, Love has a chance to help lead one of the better rushing attacks in college football this season. Love being the best version of himself, and pushing his game to another level, can give this version of Notre Dame football the opportunity to win their first national championship in nearly 40 years.