Notre Dame‘s 2025 season ended in controversial fashion, narrowly missing the College Football Playoff. The Fighting Irish opted out of bowl season following a 10-2 campaign. They overcame early losses to Miami and Texas A&M to win their final 10 games. Notre Dame was led by the elite running back tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. While Love got most of the recognition, including the Doak Walker Award, Price had an impressive season in his own right. Despite playing second fiddle in the Fighting Irish backfield, he projects as one of the top running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft. Price has the traits of a dominant runner, but what can he bring to an NFL offense?

2026 NFL Draft: Jadarian Price Early Scouting Report
Measurables

Height – 5-foot-11

Weight – 210 pounds

Background

Price was a four-star recruit and the 14th-ranked running back in the Class of 2022 coming out of Denison (Texas). He committed to play for first-year coach Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame. The beginning of Price’s collegiate career would have to wait, as he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon that kept him out all of 2022. Price returned in 2023, showing glimpses of the player he would develop into. He played in all 13 games and had 47 carries for 272 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching a touchdown. His breakout performance came in the Sun Bowl against Oregon State, where he had 106 rushing yards on just 13 carries. With Audric Estime off to the NFL, Price saw a bigger share of carries in his sophomore season. In 16 games, he had 120 carries for 746 yards and seven touchdowns.

Following Notre Dame’s national championship run, Price returned to have his best season yet in 2025. He racked up 674 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 113 carries, while also catching two touchdowns. Price’s production wasn’t just limited to the backfield, as he was arguably the best kick returner in college football. He had two kick-return touchdowns while leading the FBS with an average of 37.5 yards per return. Price declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, foregoing his final year of eligibility.

Strengths

There aren’t many running backs that possess true burner speed like Price. He is a player who can break off explosive runs any time he gets a clear lane. His acceleration is impressive, and he works best running towards the boundary. Price has an excellent combination of vision and agility, allowing him to change directions and find open space quickly. His instincts and speed make him difficult to bring down. Price also displays strong contact balance and can fight for yards after first contact. He also brings value on special teams, as his production as a kick returner shows.

Weaknesses

While Price checks all the boxes of a pure runner, he doesn’t provide the same value on passing downs. He isn’t a great pass catcher, limited to mostly checkdowns. Price struggles with pass blocking, posting a 25.3 PFF grade. His ball security is also questionable, as he had three fumbles in 2025. The major injury suffered as a freshman can also be cause for concern, though Price didn’t miss a game after 2022 and has been efficient.

Overview

Evaluating Price as a prospect is a bit tricky. He didn’t have monster counting stats because he was in a loaded backfield, but he looked like one of the best backs in the nation when he got his chances. His combination of speed, shiftiness, and power should translate to the next level. He likely won’t be an every-down player due to his limitations as a blocker and receiver, but he can find success in any scheme as an old-school back. Price is currently projected to be drafted somewhere on day two. His floor should be a third-round pick, but he can easily go in the second. Price is an excellent choice for a team looking to add a dynamic player at running back.

Main Photo: [Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune]