Never in the NFL draft’s history have the first two running backs selected hailed from the same school. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price could potentially change that in 2026.
Love is universally expected to be the first running back off the board and a top-10 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Price has established himself as the class’ consensus No. 2 back and a likely Day 2 pick.
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Though Love has attracted most of the fanfare in the lead-up to the draft, the 20-year-old expressed bullishness in his teammate’s pro potential in a recent phone interview with USA TODAY Sports as part of his partnership with New Balance.
“I tell everybody this. I feel like JD can do everything I can do, if not more,” Love said, referring to Price by his nickname.
Jeremiyah Love: Notre Dame has a simple message for NFL coaches before 2026 NFL Draft
Love went on to explain that, like himself, Price can handle all the requisite duties of a running back. He’s a quality runner, pass catcher and blocker, which Love believes will allow the 22-year-old to find success in the NFL.
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But there is also one area in which Price has Love beaten, in his estimation. The 2025 All-American lauded his teammate for his skills as a return man, calling him the best in the country.
“He does it way better than me,” Love said.
The stats would back up Love’s assessment. Price logged an FBS-best 37.5 yards per kick return and two kick return touchdowns during his final season at Notre Dame. His explosiveness in that area – along with the NFL’s relatively new dynamic kickoff rule – has added an intriguing layer to his candidacy as the draft’s No. 2 running back prospect.
Love believes it is a well-earned mantle, and he reiterated his confidence that Price can be a similar do-it-all threat to himself at the NFL level.
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“Obviously, I am who I am and I did the things that I did, which allowed me to be thrusted into talks of being top 10, top 5, whatever I end up being,” Love said. “But JD is a back that can do everything. You give him a hole, he’s gonna take that hole and he’s gonna take it all the way to the house. JD’s that type of back.”
Love also believes that many around the NFL are starting to re-realize how important quality, three-down backs like himself and Price can be to modern offenses.
“I feel like we’re slowly but surely getting back to the age where running backs are more important than people make them out to be,” Love opined.
“Running backs can change the game,” he later added. “You’ve got a good running back, he can really potentially take over a whole game by himself.”
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And so, Love is among those excited to see where both he and Price land when the draft kicks into gear later in April.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeremiyah Love: Jadarian Price ‘can do everything I can do’
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