Christian McCaffrey knows a thing or two about elite running back talent. Drafted 8th overall in 2017, he's spent nearly a decade proving himself as one of the NFL's most dynamic offensive weapons. So when he singles out a draft prospect for praise, the football world listens.

Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, McCaffrey has turned his spotlight to Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love, a projected first-round pick. While the San Francisco 49ers aren't in the market for a new feature back, McCaffrey's evaluation carries significant weight. He sees in Love the rare, innate qualities that separate good players from great ones.

"When you watch his tape, you find out that he has that extra juice that you can't really coach — that's the vision, that's the contact balance," McCaffrey told NFL Network. "He's a guy that I'm sure is going to have continued success for as long as he plays."

McCaffrey's praise is backed by impressive production. Love rushed for over 1,200 yards in each of the last two seasons at Notre Dame, amassing 40 total touchdowns from 2024-2025. McCaffrey also noted that everyone he knows within the Fighting Irish program "raves" about the young runner.

This kind of endorsement from a reigning superstar is a major signal boost for any prospect. While Love won't be challenging for McCaffrey's job in San Francisco, he could soon be a problem for the 49ers' defense. Teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants have been rumored as potential landing spots, setting the stage for future NFC showdowns. When a player of McCaffrey's caliber highlights "that stuff you can't really coach," it's a testament to the next generation of athletic talent ready to explode onto the NFL stage.