The rhythm of the college football season is starting to settle in, and each week we see new names rise into the devy conversation. In Devy Deep Dive – Player of the Week, I spotlight one standout whose performance deserves a closer look—breaking down what it means for his draft stock, devy value, and long-term outlook.
This week, that spotlight shifts to Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, one of the more underrated backs in the country. While he continues to share the backfield with Jeremiyah Love, Price has quietly showcased NFL-caliber traits: explosive burst, balance through contact, and reliable versatility in both phases of the offense. He might not be the feature back just yet, but the talent is undeniable, and his upside at the next level is starting to demand attention.
Player Introduction & Context
At nearly any other school in the country, Jadarian Price would be the feature back. Through five games, the 5’10”, 209-pound redshirt junior has rushed for 422 yards on just 63 carries and seven touchdowns, averaging a staggering 7.42 yards per carry, good for eighth nationally among FBS running backs with at least 40 attempts. It’s his fourth straight game with 65+ yards and a score, a stretch that’s quietly putting him on the national radar.
The challenge for Price? He happens to share a backfield with Jeremiyah Love, a preseason All-American and projected 2026 first-rounder. While Love gets the bulk of the workload (201 snaps to Price’s 101), Price has been the model of efficiency; averaging 8.0 yards per play and matching Love’s nine total touchdowns. When he touches the ball, good things happen.
Price’s impact also extends beyond the backfield. He’s become a weapon on special teams, returning four kickoffs for 188 yards, including a 100-yard touchdown against Purdue, leading the nation with an average of 47.0 yards per return.
The duo of Love and Price might be the most balanced one-two punch in college football. Both backs weigh over 210 pounds and can post sub-4.5 speed, creating matchup nightmares for defenses. But while Love provides short-yardage reliability and pass-catching upside, Price brings the explosive element—posting a 27.1% explosive run rate (10+ yards) compared to Love’s 17.1%. He’s also tied for 16th nationally with five runs of 20+ yards.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Price’s story is his journey. After suffering a torn Achilles in 2022, Price has rebuilt himself into one of the most dynamic runners in the country. His regained burst and confidence are evident. He’s running with vision, patience, and newfound decisiveness, the result of three years of growth under elite running back coaches like Deland McCullough and Ja’Juan Seider.
Simply put, Jadarian Price might not be Notre Dame’s RB1 on the depth chart, but he’s proving to be RB1 material for NFL scouts. His blend of burst, balance, and maturity make him one of the most underrated devy backs in the nation, and his stock continues to quietly climb each week.
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