Notre Dame has a very good chance of having the top two running backs taken in the 2026 NFL Draft. There is little debate that starting running back Jeremiyah Love will be the first one selected. There is also a strong chance his backup, Jadarian Price, could be the second back off the board.
Price recently declared for the NFL Draft and has several traits that support that kind of draft projection. The biggest one is his speed. This past season, 24 of his 113 carries went for 10 or more yards, and he finished with 674 rushing yards. He scored 11 touchdowns and has five career touchdown runs of at least 65 yards, showing his ability to flip the field in one play.
What makes Jadarian Price special
That speed also makes him a major threat on special teams. Price averaged 37.5 yards per kickoff return this season, returned two for touchdowns, and had a 100-yard kickoff return score against USC. His return ability alone adds value and gives him another way to impact games early at the next level.
The best returner in the country ☘️
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 24, 2025
Jadarian Price has been named a finalist for the Jet Award 💪#GoIrish☘️ | @Jadarian15 pic.twitter.com/2kbBH1OvUd
Price is not just a straight-line runner. He is very elusive in the open field and has shown the ability to cut on a dime, forcing 30 missed tackles this season. He has also been reliable when targeted as a receiver, catching six of seven passes this year and finishing his Notre Dame career without a single drop.
The main concern for teams will be his limited workload. Price has never been a featured back, averaging just 6.8 carries per game and never having more than 15 carries in a single game. He has also not been used much in the passing game, with only 15 career receptions. While this is understandable given he played behind an elite back in Love, it still raises questions about how much volume he can handle at the next level.
Even with those concerns, Price is generating strong draft buzz. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the No. 2 draft-eligible running back, and multiple scouts have placed Day 2 grades on him. Notre Dame has not had two running backs selected in the same draft since 1993, but that could change in 2026 if Price continues to be valued the way scouts currently project.