Jeremiyah Love reveals plans to attempt backwards hurdle after being inspired by Saquon Barkley

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love will pull off his inner Saquon Barkley at some point and do a backwards hurdle.

Granted, he’ll only do a backwards hurdle if the situation presents itself in a game situation. But Love acknowledged Barkley inspired to play free as a running back and be himself on the field.

Going into the 2025 season, which could be another special one for Love and Notre Dame, expect some highlight worthy plays from him in the air.

“I’m kind of a daredevil type of player,” Love said on NFL Network. “I’m willing to go out there and do anything. And seeing Saquon do the backwards hurdle, that really inspired me to go out on the field and try to play as free as I can. Shoot, that’s kind of where I got my motivation to continue the hurdling. Seeing him do it on the next level … that’s probably one of the greatest plays in football history I’ve ever seen. Seeing him do that, he plays my position … play as free as he does just gives me more motivation to be myself on the field. 

“I most definitely at some point down the road will attempt (to do) a backwards hurdle, if the situation is right. But until then I’m going to stick to jumping over people the regular way.”

As a sophomore, Love set career highs across 16 games, helping Notre Dame get to the national championship game. He ran for 1,125 yards, 17 touchdowns, 6.9 yards per carry and had 28 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

If Love starts putting up Barkley numbers, like running for 2,000 yards or so, he might be at the forefront of next year’s Heisman conversation.

The former Nittany Lion finished the 2024 regular season with 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns on 345 carries. In the Eagles’ first two playoff games, Barkley rushed for 324 yards and two touchdowns on 51 carries.

“It was the same message as last week – the most important thing is winning football games, especially around this time of year,” Barkley said.

“Whatever it takes. Defense, our defense is special. Making plays for us. Of course, we’re going to go back and watch and see what we can do better on offense. Our offensive line did a great job for us, we made the plays and got a win.”

Like the rest of America, Love will likely be watching Barkley and the Eagles take on the Chiefs Sunday in Super Bowl LIX at 6:30 p.m. ET in New Orleans.