When Jadarian Price first stepped onto Notre Dame’s campus, he was just another eager freshman running back with everything to prove and no idea what the future held. He couldn’t have predicted the impact he would eventually make in South Bend, nor could he have imagined that his name would one day be called in the first round of the NFL Draft. What made the journey even more remarkable was that he didn’t have to walk it alone. Under head coach Marcus Freeman, Price became half of one of the most exciting backfield duos in college football, splitting carries with the electrifying Jeremiyah Love. The two pushed each other in practice, celebrated each other’s touchdowns, and formed a bond that would carry them through the grind of a demanding season. There was no jealousy, no resentment — just two young men who understood that iron sharpens iron. And when the 2026 NFL Draft arrived, that shared sacrifice paid off in spectacular fashion. Love heard his name called third overall by the Arizona Cardinals, while Price closed out the first round at Pick 32, landing with the Seattle Seahawks. It was a night of validation, not just for Price, but for the entire Notre Dame program. Two running backs from the same backfield, both selected in the first round, was a testament to Freeman’s ability to develop talent and to the selfless culture that allowed both players to shine. For Price, it was the beginning of a new chapter — one that would challenge him in ways he never expected, but also reward him for all the quiet hours of work he had put in long before the bright lights of the NFL.
Fast forward to two weeks into the NFL season, and Price is already making his mark in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Seahawks looked different in 2026, after the departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, who left in free agency for the Kansas City Chiefs. Suddenly, the running back room in Seattle had a void, and Price stepped into it with confidence and poise. Through two weeks, he has rushed for 104 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry, taking control of the backfield in a way that has made Seahawks fans forget about the transition. It hasn’t been easy, of course. There were new playbooks to learn, new teammates to build chemistry with, and a new city to call home. But Price has always thrived on adversity. He spent years sharing carries with Love at Notre Dame, learning to make every touch count and never wasting a single opportunity. That mindset has translated beautifully to the NFL. His vision, patience, and burst have been on full display, and his offensive line has been opening holes that he’s been more than happy to run through. The early season stats are promising, but for Price, it’s not about the yards — it’s about being reliable, being available, and earning the trust of his coaches and teammates. Each week, he grows a little more comfortable, a little more confident, and a little more certain that he belongs among the best players in the world. But even as he makes a name for himself in Seattle, his heart still beats with the gold and blue of Notre Dame, and he remains deeply connected to the coach who helped shape him.
Meanwhile, back in South Bend, Marcus Freeman couldn’t be prouder. The Fighting Irish are sitting at a perfect 3-0 and ranked No. 3 in the latest AP Poll, and they’re doing it without Love and Price in the backfield. Losing two first-round running backs would cripple most programs, but Freeman has built something different — a culture of resilience, depth, and next-man-up mentality. The offense is humming, the defense is flying around, and the Irish look like legitimate playoff contenders. Freeman, ever the players’ coach, has managed to keep the team grounded while also allowing new stars to emerge. But even with all the success, he never forgot the guys who helped lay the foundation. When he and Price finally got the chance to catch up, the dynamic had shifted in a subtle but meaningful way. This time, Freeman wasn’t the one giving instructions or corrections after practice. Instead, he sat down with Price for an interview, asking questions and listening to the young man’s journey in the NFL. It was a beautiful role reversal — a coach who once guided Price now learning from his former player’s experiences. For Price, it was a reminder of the unique bond he shares with Freeman, a relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared love for the game. The interview wasn’t just a conversation; it was a reflection of how far Price has come, and how much Freeman’s mentorship still means to him.
One of the most memorable moments in the interview came when Freeman asked Price whether he had stiff-armed or trucked a particular Cardinals defender. Price didn’t hesitate. “I trucked somebody,” he said with a grin. It was a moment of pure honesty and confidence, the kind of answer that makes you believe he’s ready for the physicality of the NFL. Price went on to credit his offensive line, saying, “It helps to have a good offensive line and the past two games they’ve knocked guys off the ball. They’re getting past the line of scrimmage pretty good and these guys are legit, but I’m trusting my talent.” That humility, combined with self-assurance, is the perfect reflection of his personality. He knows he can’t do it alone, but he also knows that when the moment comes, he has the ability to make a play. His willingness to embrace contact and finish runs with aggression is something that endeared him to Notre Dame fans, and now it’s winning over Seattle fans too. The physical side of the game has never scared him; in fact, it’s where he feels most at home. There’s a certain joy in watching a young running back lower his shoulder and deliver a blow rather than shy away from contact. Price plays with a chip on his shoulder, a hunger that comes from years of competing for carries and earning every single yard. That’s the kind of attitude that translates to longevity in the NFL, and it’s exactly what the Seahawks need.
Price also opened up about the similarities between Seattle and South Bend, and it turns out the transition was smoother than many might expect. “Seattle in some ways is a lot like South Bend,” he said. “It’s starting to get a little gloomy now, but that’s football weather.” That simple observation revealed a deeper truth: Price doesn’t need sunshine and warm beaches to feel at home. He’s a football player, raised on the grind of cold mornings and gritty practices. But it wasn’t just the weather that reminded him of Notre Dame — it was the culture. “The program values spiritual life and all that stuff here. People have bible study here. A good majority of guys do chapel and mass the night before the game,” he explained. That sense of community and faith was something he cherished at Notre Dame, and finding it again in Seattle made the transition feel less like a shock and more like a continuation of the same journey. When Price spoke about the teammates he left behind, his voice was full of admiration. He mentioned Julian Love, Riley Mills, and other former Fighting Irish players who are still making waves. “They’re doing great, and I think they’re getting awards every week. We do team awards and Julian Love had a pick in like every game. He’s always around the ball. Riley has been getting tackles for loss and things like that. But yeah, they’re a great part of our team, and we did Notre Dame events with them back in the off season in the summer, all three of us.” It was clear that the Notre Dame brotherhood extends far beyond the campus, and Price still feels deeply connected to his roots.
Perhaps the most surreal moment of the entire interview came when Price revealed that Joe Montana had reached out to him. “Montana reached out…Joe Montana. For this like a venture capital thing,” Price said, still sounding a little amazed. The legendary quarterback, an icon in the NFL and a beloved figure in the Bay Area, had personally contacted Price about a tech company startup. “So we spoke to this tech company startup. We were just talking to them about connecting football to the life of a CEO or something like that. It was pretty cool.” For a young running back still finding his footing in the league, receiving a call from Joe Montana is the kind of moment that makes you stop and wonder how your life became so extraordinary. It also speaks to Price’s potential beyond football — he’s seen as someone with the intelligence, charisma, and drive to succeed in whatever he chooses to pursue after his playing days are over. But for now, Price remains focused on the game he loves. He also laughed about facing the Arizona Cardinals again, the team that drafted his former teammate Jeremiyah Love. “Yeah. We didn’t get to do the jersey swap this time but luckily we play them twice. I think we’ll do a jersey swap next time,” he said. That playful competitiveness, combined with genuine friendship, perfectly captures the spirit of Price’s journey. He’s still the same humble kid from South Bend, but now he’s a first-round pick, a starting NFL running back, and an inspiration to everyone who watched him grow. And with Marcus Freeman cheering him on from the sidelines of Notre Dame, the bond between coach and player, mentor and mentee, remains as strong as ever.
