Montana Raves About Notre Dame’s Love: Top 5 Pick?

Montana Raves About Notre Dame’s Love: Top 5 Pick?

The NFL Combine might be a series of drills that don’t mirror actual football, but for some, it’s a crucial event to gauge the potential of incoming talent. For Kyle Brandt, it’s like a movie trailer – generating excitement and highlighting key players to watch. And according to an anecdote shared by Scott Van Pelt, legendary quarterback Joe Montana is already a huge fan of one of those players: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Montana’s Seal of Approval

Van Pelt recounted a story from his father’s 80th birthday celebration, where he and his father, Bob Brandt, attended the Notre Dame versus Army game at Yankee Stadium. Amidst the buzz of a competitive matchup, they encountered Joe Montana. When asked about the Army team’s chances, Montana, pointing to Love warming up, confidently declared, “Not with number four right there.” As Love proceeded to score two touchdowns in the first half, Montana’s sentiment remained unchanged. Even after halftime, when asked about a potential comeback, Montana reiterated, “Not with number four out there.” This endorsement from Montana, a figure synonymous with clutch performances, has only amplified Love’s stock.

Love’s On-Field Prowess

Van Pelt emphasized that Love’s on-field performance has always been exceptional, and nothing he did at the combine has diminished that belief. He considers Love the best Notre Dame running back since Jerome Bettis and firmly believes he’s a top-five pick. Van Pelt highlighted a particularly impressive run against Penn State, where Love, despite facing multiple defenders, displayed incredible agility and resilience, planting his feet multiple times and evading tackles. This run, according to Van Pelt, was so spectacular that Love could have skipped the combine entirely and still secured his NFL future.

Brandt’s Combine Perspective

Brandt, while acknowledging the combine’s limitations in replicating game situations, sees its value in generating anticipation. “It’s this movie you can’t wait to see,” he explained, comparing the combine to a movie trailer that offers a “sizzle reel” of the principles, action, and music that will be part of the upcoming season. While admitting the “movie might suck” when it eventually comes out, the trailer itself is undeniably exciting and helps identify players to track.

Brandt’s Musical Interlude

The conversation then took a delightful detour as Brandt shared a personal story about performing with his high school cover band, “Section L,” at The Metro in Chicago. Now in their 40s, the band reunited for a show featuring an eclectic mix of songs from Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, and even Taylor Swift, with Brandt’s nine-year-old daughter joining them on stage. This experience, Brandt admitted, was more nerve-wracking than live television appearances. “The high is higher than anything you ever do,” he stated, reflecting on the adrenaline rush of performing for friends and family.

Van Pelt’s Musical Aspirations

Van Pelt, admitting he can sing but is held back by nervousness, expressed a desire to experience that same high. Brandt playfully challenged him, suggesting they could perform together at a future gig. While Van Pelt toyed with the idea of singing Pearl Jam’s “[] in Hiding,” he expressed concern about hitting the high notes. Brandt, ever the encourager, assured him, “I think you can. I really think you’re tall enough. You’re confident enough.” The segment ended with a humorous exchange about the anxieties and challenges of being a lead singer, leaving the audience with a smile.

Looking Ahead

While the combine and draft are still on the horizon, the buzz around Jeremiyah Love, bolstered by Joe Montana’s ringing endorsement and his undeniable talent, suggests he is a player to watch. His potential as a top-five pick is a hot topic, and his performance against top competition has certainly made a strong case. As for Brandt’s musical endeavors, it seems the stage is always calling, even if Van Pelt needs a little more convincing to join him.

Source: Joe Montana said WHAT to Kyle Brandt about Jeremiyah Love? | SVP SportsCenter (YouTube)