Podcast Summary: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Jeremiyah Love & David Pollack CONVO: Heisman, Marcus Freeman & Notre Dame CFP Resume
Date: December 4, 2025
Guests: David Pollack (Host), Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame running back, Heisman finalist)

Overview

This episode of See Ball Get Ball features a candid and wide-ranging conversation between host David Pollack and Notre Dame running back, Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love. The discussion covers Jeremiyah’s journey to Heisman contention, the dynamics of the Notre Dame team, Coach Marcus Freeman’s influence, Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff (CFP) case, and Jeremiyah’s personality and interests off the field. Pollack’s energetic, conversational style makes for an engaging episode, peppered with memorable anecdotes and insightful observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiyah Love’s Heisman Candidacy and Athleticism

• Opening Discussion (01:00–02:20):
  Pollack kicks off by acknowledging Love as a Heisman finalist and asking how it feels to have that recognition.

  • Jeremiyah Love (01:17): “I don't like to give myself like a lot of credit. But … it's a great honor that people think so highly of me and that I've been given a great opportunity to represent my university the right way.”
  • Pollack and Love recall teammate CJ’s story of Jeremiyah touching the ceiling in the team meeting room, highlighting his “not human” athleticism.

• Memorable moment:

  • Pollack (01:24): "We're giving you the credit. You ain’t giving you the credit, they're voting you that!"

2. On-Field Superpowers and Memorable Plays

• Running Back Narrative (02:20–02:58):
  Pollack marvels at a play where Jeremiyah breaks off a long run, turns to the sideline mid-play looking for his coach.
  • Jeremiyah Love (02:40): “Right before that play, [my coach] was like, 'I bet you won’t take it, like 98 or 96...’ So whenever I broke off, I was looking for him on the sideline, but I couldn’t find him.”

3. Quarterback CJ’s Growth & Dynamic Offense

• Player Chemistry and Offensive Development (02:58–04:53):
  • Pollack and Love discuss the progression and growing confidence of QB CJ, with Love praising both his intelligence and competitiveness:
    • Jeremiyah Love (03:46): “CJ’s always had the skill … but CJ just needed the experience, and I feel like he got that throughout this whole season ... he’s only getting better, man. So the future's bright for CJ.”
  • Reference to CJ’s “twirly twirl” play in a game, showing his improvisational ability and competitive edge.
  • Love’s confidence that CJ will be recognized nationally as one of the best quarterbacks.

4. Coach Marcus Freeman’s Leadership and Culture

• Connection with Players (04:53–06:20):

  • Pollack asks about the unique bond and relatability of Coach Marcus Freeman.
  • Jeremiyah Love (05:32): “A lot of times for me, Coach Freeman doesn’t even seem like he’s my head coach. … He just tries to connect with us and make sure we’re understanding him, and he’s understanding us. … He’s that cool little guy to me.”
  • Love credits Freeman’s youth and experience as a player for creating a more relatable and connective environment.

• Favorite Freeman Moments (06:20–07:32):
  Love shares a Thanksgiving story, emphasizing Freeman’s competitive, focused mentality even during holidays:

  • Jeremiyah Love (07:03): “He was like, ‘It ain’t Thanksgiving. It’s … so and so Thursday.’ Like, basically just blowing off Thanksgiving—he cares more about being here for practice and being in the facility rather than going to celebrate Thanksgiving.”

5. Life off the Field: Video Games, Anime, and Learning New Skills

• Relaxation & Hobbies (08:14–10:43):

  • Jeremiyah typically avoids watching football outside team responsibilities, preferring to play video games (2K, Call of Duty) and watch anime or TV series.
  • Jeremiyah Love (09:48): “I play the game … I probably won’t leave the house. I’ll probably play the game the whole day for like eight hours, if I got time.”

• Self-Teaching & Passion Projects (10:16–10:43):

  • Pollack notes Love has taught himself Japanese and piano:
    • Pollack (10:16): “You can’t tell me you’re the normal guy when you’ve taught yourself Japanese and … to play the piano. Like, that’s not normal, Jeremiyah.”
    • Love explains: His love for anime drove him to learn Japanese, and he taught himself piano by learning anime songs on YouTube.

6. Signature On-Field Moves: Hurdles and Spins

• Adapting to Defense (11:29–13:25):
  • Pollack analyzes how defenders have adjusted to Love’s hurdling reputation.
  • Jeremiyah Love (12:15): “A lot of time, I want to hurdle people, but ... since last year, I made a name for myself .. people don’t go as low. … So I just started finding different ways to make people miss ... use their momentum to spin around them. And it’s been working pretty well so far.”

7. Notre Dame’s CFP Resume and Program Appeal

• Playoff Worthiness (13:25–14:45):

  • Pollack poses the challenge of public skepticism over Notre Dame's playoff credentials due to two early losses.
  • Jeremiyah Love (13:44): “Yeah, we lost two games in the beginning ... but you know, look at all the other teams ... We’ve got a lot of playmakers ... if we were to get into that setting, our ability ... would only elevate. I feel like we’re a must see team ... I just feel like we’re a playoff team.”

• Why Notre Dame? (14:45–15:39):

  • Love cites the school's independence, its people, and tight-knit community as major draws:
    • Jeremiyah Love (14:57): “Notre Dame was independent ... they weren’t bound to a conference ... I felt way better here than I did at any other place in regards to the people that I'm surrounded with.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being a Heisman finalist:
  • “It’s a great honor that people think so highly of me and that I’ve been given a great opportunity to represent my university.” – Jeremiyah Love (01:30)
• On Coach Freeman:
  • “He’s that cool little guy to me.” – Jeremiyah Love (05:32)
• On CJ the Quarterback:
  • “He’s only getting better, man. So the future's bright for CJ.” – Jeremiyah Love (04:53)
• On learning Japanese and playing piano:
  • “My love of anime … I wanted to play the music that was in the anime, so taught myself how to do that.” – Jeremiyah Love (10:43)
• On defensive adjustments to his running style:
  • “Since last year … people don’t go as low as they used to ... so I just started finding different ways to make people miss.” – Jeremiyah Love (12:15)
• On what makes Notre Dame special for him:
  • “It was a different place. I feel like Notre Dame was independent ... not bound to a conference ... and I like that.” – Jeremiyah Love (14:57)

Timeline of Major Segments

• 01:00–02:20 — Heisman talk, athletic feats (ceiling story)
• 02:20–02:58 — Playmaking, sideline anecdote
• 02:58–04:53 — Quarterback CJ’s development
• 04:53–07:32 — Coach Marcus Freeman’s relatability; Thanksgiving anecdote
• 08:14–10:43 — Off-field interests: games, anime, self-taught Japanese and piano
• 11:29–13:25 — Signature moves: hurdles, defenders' adjustments, developing spin move
• 13:25–14:45 — Notre Dame’s playoff worthiness
• 14:45–15:39 — Why Jeremiyah chose Notre Dame

Episode Tone

• Relaxed, witty, and insightful – Pollack’s enthusiastic, conversational questioning brings out both the competitive drive and down-to-earth nature of Jeremiyah Love.
• Authentic and honest – Jeremiyah openly discusses both on-field struggles and off-field quirks, offering an intimate look at his life as a student-athlete.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a vivid portrait of a Heisman finalist who brings humility, self-awareness, and multifaceted interests both on and off the field. David Pollack and Jeremiyah Love cover football, coaching, team culture, and the human side of high-level athletics. The episode not only highlights Notre Dame’s CFP case but also allows listeners to appreciate the personalities shaping the game today.