RB Jadarian Price to enter NFL Draft, forego last year of Notre Dame eligibility

It takes a special, selfless talent to never have been a program’s starter but to leave widely viewed as one of the best to have ever done it there. That’s the case for Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price.

One half of the best backfield Notre Dame has ever had, Price is on his way to the NFL. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on social media Wednesday.

“Notre Dame has truly been a blessing in my life,” Price wrote. “Choosing to be a student-athlete here for the past four years is something I will always be grateful for. Through every high and low, this place and its people consistently pushed me to be better, and for that I am forever thankful.”

Price’s first of four seasons in South Bend was wiped out recovering from an Achilles injury. He was the Irish’s third option at running back as a redshirt freshman in 2023 before backing up Jeremiyah Love in 2024 and 2025.

Backing up, even though that’s more or less what Price was doing, doesn’t do his game any justice. In the last two seasons, Price ran 233 times for 1,420 yards and 18 touchdowns. He’s a career 6.0 yards per carry guy, and he leaves Notre Dame with a career stat line of 280 carries, 1,692 yards, 21 touchdowns plus 15 receptions, 162 yards and 3 more scores.

Speaking of three more scores. Price returned three kicks for touchdowns. Two of those were against rival USC at Notre Dame Stadium.

Price could’ve come back and been Notre Dame’s unquestioned No. 1 back in 2026, but he generated enough draft stock without ever having held the title of ND RB1 to give himself a shot to be selected on the second day of the upcoming NFL Draft. For a player at his position who’s already endured such a debilitating injury, the opportunity for long-term, guaranteed, professional money was too much to pass up.

Notre Dame has not had two running backs taken in the same NFL Draft since Jerome Bettis and Reggie Brooks both went off the board in 1993. It’s only right for Love and Price to be the first Fighting Irish tandem selected in the same draft in over three decades.

The lasting image of them at Notre Dame should have been in the College Football Playoff, if Irish fans had it their way. If they had it their way. Instead, it’ll be of Price popping on the screen with a big smile on his face during Love’s acceptance of the Doak Walker Award as the best running back in college football.

In another universe, it would have been Price accepting that award because majority of carries were funneled his way. He stayed at Notre Dame for the entirety of his Notre Dame career, though, knowing that would never happen for as long as Love stayed healthy. And he enjoyed every day of it.

“To my teammates, this brotherhood is one that will last a lifetime,” he wrote. “Competing alongside you has been an opportunity of a lifetime, and the memories we’ve created together will stay with me forever.

“As I step into the next chapter and pursue my dream of playing in the NFL, I carry with me the lessons, values, and memories Notre Dame has given me.”

Special and selfless indeed.