From Notre Dame to the 40: How Love’s 4.36 time compares to Barkley’s historic Combine
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is already getting comparisons to Eagles RB Saquon Barkley after his impressive 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
When Jeremiyah Love stepped to the line in Indianapolis, there was already buzz about his speed. By the time the Notre Dame running back crossed the finish line, that buzz had turned into full-blown first-round chatter.
Love’s puts up crazy numbers at NFL Combine
Love improved on an initial 4.37-second attempt to post an official 4.36-second 40-yard dash, marking him as one of the fastest running backs in Indianapolis this weekend. That 4.36 time placed him just behind Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. (4.33) among RBs.
The comparison that quickly followed was to none other than Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
When Barkley ran at the 2018 Combine, he posted a 4.40-second 40 at roughly 230 pounds, a rare blend of size and speed that helped cement him as the No. 2 overall pick in that draft. Love’s 4.36 is faster than Barkley’s official time, and while straight-line speed isn’t everything, it’s a powerful data point when attached to an already productive college career.
Love’s blazing dash supports the eye test from his time at University of Notre Dame, where he combined power, vision and breakaway burst throughout his career. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist and was considered one of the most versatile running backs in college football, capable of contributing as a runner, receiver and blocker.
It also shows he’s not just a straight-line sprinter. While the 40 is a pure measure of straight-line speed, it’s worth noting NFL Network analysts have compared Love’s overall athletic profile to successful NFL backs like DeMarco Murray, who married speed with physicality and three-down versatility. (Daniel Jeremiah made this comparison during the combine coverage.)
This performance has the potential to move draft boards, especially for teams lacking a dynamic running backs. Running backs rarely go in the top 10 these days, but a 40 time like Love’s, faster than many bigger backs, and among the best posted this week, forces evaluators to consider him more seriously in the early portion of the draft. Teams with late first-round picks keen on adding a feature back, like the New Orleans Saints at No. 8 or Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9, might view Love’s athletic profile as too elite to pass up.
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