Jadarian Price

NFL Draft Profile: Jadarian Price

Position: Running Back | School: Notre Dame | Class: Junior

Height: 5'11" | Weight: 210 lbs | Archetype: 3-Down Back (Speed/Elusive Hybrid)

College Career Summary

Jadarian Price’s journey at Notre Dame is a masterclass in perseverance. After a dominant 2022 spring game that had fans pegging him as a Day 1 starter, he suffered a devastating ruptured Achilles in summer workouts, forcing him to redshirt. His return in 2023 was a steady ramp-up, but 2024 and 2025 saw him flourish as the "1B" to Jeremiyah Love’s "1A," forming the most explosive backfield in the country.

In 2025, Price evolved into a national standout and a Paul Hornung Award finalist. While Love garnered the headlines, Price became the "closer" and special teams ace, recording multiple 100-yard kickoff returns. He finished the regular season with 674 rushing yards (6.0 avg) and 11 touchdowns, adding two receiving scores and two kickoff return touchdowns. Price is widely considered a "starter in a backup's body," possessing the fresh legs and versatile skillset NFL teams crave in the modern era.

2025 Season Statistical Highlights

• Rushing: 113 carries, 674 Yds, 11 TD (6.0 avg)

• Receiving: 6 Rec, 87 Yds, 2 TD

• Special Teams: 12 Ret, 450 Yds, 2 TD (37.5 avg)

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	@ Miami	6/45/0	B+	Flashy debut; 30-yard run sparked the first scoring drive.
2	vs Texas A&M	12/68/2	A	The Finisher. Two critical goal-line scores against SEC size.
3	vs Purdue	9/74/3	A+	The Hat Trick. 3 rush TDs + 100-yard KR TD. Pure dominance.
4	@ Arkansas	13/86/1	A	Career high in carries; showcased elite vision and receiving (1 TD).
5	vs Boise St	8/83/1	A-	Home-run hitter. 49-yard TD run in the 4th iced the game.
6	vs NC State	15/66/0	B-	Heavy volume; found tough yards but lacked the explosive play.
7	vs USC	13/87/1	A+	Special Teams Star. Another 100-yard KR TD; outshone USC's secondary.
8	@ Boston College	9/18/0	D	Season Low. Stifled by BC's interior; averaged only 2.0 YPC.
9	vs Navy	10/47/1	B	Solid "V-cut" running; secured the lead with a 2-yard punch-in.
10	@ Pitt	8/38/1	B+	Effective change-of-pace; converted key short-yardage downs.
11	vs Syracuse	6/42/1	A-	High efficiency; maximized limited touches in a blowout.
12	@ Stanford	4/20/0	B-	Played "safe" ball late; preserved health for the CFP run.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Leadership: Known in the building as "The Vet." He leads through his rehabilitation story and professionalism.

• Mental Toughness: Returning from a ruptured Achilles to regain 100% of his explosiveness is a rare feat of mental fortitude.

• Competitor/Team Player: Fully embraced the 1B role behind Love without complaint, often crediting the O-line and coaching staff for his efficiency.

• Star Power: A "house-call" threat on kickoffs and in the open field.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 90/100

• Height/Weight: 5'11", 210 lbs. Meets the NFL threshold for a durable back.

• Stamina: High; maintains top-end speed even on the 15th carry of a game.

• Durability/Injury History: Medically cleared from the 2022 Achilles injury. Has played a full schedule in back-to-back seasons with no setbacks.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Ball Security: Solid, though he had 2 fumbles in 2025 that need addressing.

• Vision: A "glider" who waits for the crease. He excels at the "cutback" lane.

• Contact Balance: Runs like a bowling ball through arm tackles; low center of gravity.

• Catching: Natural, smooth hands. 2025 proved he is a viable receiving threat (2 TDs).

• Pass Block: Area for Improvement. Recognition is good, but technique against elite speed rushers needs polish.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Speed: True burner speed. Once he reaches the second level, he is rarely caught from behind.

• Agility/COD: Sudden. Can plant and change lanes without losing momentum.

• Acceleration: Elite "zero-to-sixty." His kick return success is a direct result of his burst.

• Break Tackle: Punishing finisher for his size.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Awareness: High football IQ. Understands blocking schemes and knows when to "bounce" versus when to take the 4 yards.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Home-run speed; elite return-game value (NFL-ready); fresh tires (limited collegiate workload); high-end contact balance for a speed back.

• Weaknesses: Occasional "dancing" in the backfield seeking the big play; pass protection needs technical refinement; limited sample size as a lone feature back.

• Scheme Fit: Best in an Outside Zone or Pistol offense that allows him to use his vision and speed in space (e.g., Rams, Texans, Vikings).

• NFL Comparison: Raheem Mostert / Alvin Kamara (Lite).

Scout's Final Word

"Jadarian Price is a gift to an NFL front office. Because he shared the workload with a superstar like Jeremiyah Love, he enters the draft with 'fresh tires' and no long-term wear despite his Achilles history. He is an immediate contributor on special teams and a change-of-pace nightmare for tired defenses. He projects as a Day 2 selection (Round 2-3) with the potential to lead an NFL backfield by Year 2."