2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Notre Dame’s Running Back, Jadarian Price

Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price has steadily emerged as one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the Irish backfield, blending burst, versatility, and game-breaking speed into a skill set that translates cleanly to the NFL. At the next level, Price is capable of impacting games both as a runner and receiver while fitting seamlessly into space-oriented offenses.

Price arrived in South Bend with a reputation as an explosive athlete, and his development has followed that trajectory. While Notre Dame has consistently featured deep and talented running back rotations, Price has carved out a role through efficiency and versatility rather than sheer volume alone. His ability to maximize touches has made him a valuable piece of the offense, particularly in situations designed to stress defenses horizontally and vertically.

At his best, Price is a decisive runner with outstanding acceleration. He presses the line of scrimmage with patience, identifies creases quickly, and explodes through gaps with minimal wasted motion. His speed shows up most clearly once he reaches the second level, where he can separate from pursuit angles and turn modest gains into chunk plays. That big-play element gives him home-run potential every time he touches the ball.

Price also brings value in the passing game. He runs routes naturally out of the backfield, tracks the ball well, and transitions smoothly from receiver to runner after the catch. Notre Dame has utilized him on swing passes, screens, and option routes, allowing his athleticism to shine in space. His receiving ability enhances his third-down value and raises his floor as an NFL projection.

While not the biggest back in the class, Price runs with toughness. He keeps his pads low, finishes forward, and isn’t afraid of contact when it’s necessary. His vision and lateral agility allow him to avoid unnecessary hits, and his balance helps him stay upright through arm tackles. Coaches trust him in key moments, particularly when the offense needs a spark.

Strengths

Explosiveness and Speed

Price accelerates quickly and has the long speed to finish runs once he breaks into the open field.

Versatility

Effective as both a runner and receiver, giving him three-down potential in the right system.

Vision and Decision-Making

Identifies running lanes quickly and commits decisively, limiting negative plays.

Yards After Catch

Dangerous in space with the ball, capable of creating extra yards on designed touches.

Modern Offensive Fit

Skill set aligns well with spread and zone-based NFL offenses that emphasize versatility.

Weaknesses

Size Profile

Doesn’t possess prototypical workhorse dimensions, which may limit early-down volume.

Pass Protection Consistency

Willing blocker, but continued refinement is needed against NFL-level blitzers.

Contact Balance vs. Power Defenders

More elusive than overpowering; can be slowed by strong interior contact.

Workload Sample Size

Has not yet carried a true feature-back workload at the collegiate level.

Conclusion

Jadarian Price projects as a high-upside, scheme-versatile running back whose explosiveness and receiving ability make him a valuable asset in today’s NFL. His ability to score from anywhere on the field and contribute in multiple phases of the offense give him a clear role at the next level, particularly in systems that prioritize speed and space.

Draft Nation currently views Price as a Day 2 prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. With further development in pass protection and continued production, Price has the tools to become a dynamic NFL contributor and a matchup problem for opposing defenses.