Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price rewrote the backfield narrative at Notre Dame and now have NFL evaluators buzzing because they could be the next true Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders story — two elite running backs from the same program who project as difference-makers at the next level. This isn’t just about college production or individual skill sets; it’s about how these two backs forced defenses to account for them in completely different ways and how that dynamic could carry over into the NFL in historic fashion.
In the mid-1980s at Oklahoma State, Thomas and Sanders redefined what a backfield could be. Thomas was the complete, every-down workhorse, and Sanders was the home-run threat who could break defenses with speed and cutting ability no one had ever seen. Their styles weren’t the same — but they amplified each other, creating one of the most memorable backfield stories in football history. Love and Price aren’t copies of those legends, but the parallels are impossible to ignore.
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price: Production and talent
Jeremiyah Love finished the 2025 season as one of the most productive running backs in college football. He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, added value in the passing game, and consistently moved the chains. Love’s blend of vision, patience, power, and receiving ability earned him the Doak Walker Award and a spot as a Heisman finalist, while also giving him a well-rounded offensive profile that NFL teams covet.
Jadarian Price’s role was different but equally impactful. Price rushed for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns while leading the nation in kickoff return average and scoring multiple return touchdowns. His explosiveness in open space, ability to change field position in an instant, and threat of flipping a game on a single play forced defenses to respect him every time he touched the ball. Together, Love and Price combined for more than 2,000 rushing yards and nearly 30 touchdowns, making Notre Dame’s backfield one of the most feared in the country.
The beauty of this pairing was the contrast. Love was the every-down back who could grind out tough yards, punish defenders between the tackles, and throttle tempo. Price was the pure explosiveness — a home-run hitter who didn’t need bulk touches to change the game. That’s the same dichotomy that made the Thomas-Sanders pairing so compelling in college. Defenses had to prepare for two entirely different threats on the same roster, and that forced schematic compromises every week.
Love was the foundation. He was reliable in pass protection, trustworthy as a receiver, and competent as a downhill runner. That three-down versatility is exactly what NFL teams look for in a feature back. Price was the volatility engine. He didn’t need volume to win; he needed space and opportunity, and he made defenders pay every time he got it.
Why the Thurman Thomas-Barry Sanders comparison holds
People often ask why Love and Price aren’t talked about the same way Thomas and Sanders were in college. The answer comes down to era and exposure. Sanders took over as the primary ball carrier after Thomas left, and he did it in a system built on running the football more than spread concepts or rotation-heavy schemes. Sanders had historic, high-volume single-season rushing numbers that are hard to replicate in any era.
At its core, the principle remains unchanged: two backs with contrasting styles sharing the spotlight and enhancing each other’s impact. That’s precisely what Love and Price achieved. Love offers the well-rounded skill set of a future NFL starter — vision, balance, and consistency — while Price provides the edge, the jaw-dropping explosiveness, and the raw athleticism that makes defenses hold their breath. In an era built more heavily on traditional ground-and-pound football.
What makes Jadarian Price special
Price’s NFL upside is massive, and in some ways, he could be the more exciting pro prospect. Scouts are drawn to him not just because he has breakaway speed, but because his acceleration, cut-back vision, and open-field decision-making are elite. He forces defenders to change angles instantly, and that’s an NFL-level trait.
In addition to his running ability, Price’s value as a return man can’t be overstated. Teams are always searching for players who can impact special teams immediately — and Price isn’t just a return specialist, he’s a player who changes field position and flips momentum. That multiplies his value on a roster.
At the next level, Price profiles as a dynamic offensive weapon who can be deployed in a variety of ways. He can align in the backfield, motion out wide, take jet sweeps, return kicks, or be featured in designed accelerators that get him into open space quickly. If he adds reliability in pass protection and shows consistent vision between the tackles, his role could expand rapidly into that of a true three-down back with home-run upside.
Now imagine this: both running backs end up in the same NFL division, facing each other twice a year. That’s a long shot, but it’s not impossible. If Love becomes a feature back for a contender like Dallas or Washington and Price becomes a breakout offensive weapon in with Giants (2nd round pick) or Eagles, the NFL could witness a rivalry that Notre Dame fans will talk about for the next 10 years. Either way Love and Price have a chance to be the next great running back story that Thomas and Sanders once represented. Love and Price could challenge defenses in entirely different ways, meeting repeatedly with their personal legacies on the line.
Notre Dame rarely produces two NFL-caliber running backs in the same draft class — let alone two who complement each other’s games so cleanly. Love and Price didn’t just share carries; they shared impact. Love offered control and structure. Price offered unpredictability and explosive scoring ability. That’s a combination that NFL offenses value highly.
Whether they end up on the same team, in the same division, or across the league from one another, both backs are poised for compelling NFL narratives. Love has the foundation to thrive as a high-volume trusted starter. Price has the upside to become a game-breaker with elite explosiveness and special teams value. Comparisons to Thomas and Sanders aren’t perfect — but the story is similar enough, and the potential outcome could be just as unforgettable.
Love and Price have the talent, contrast, and storyline that NFL fans crave. Whether one ultimately overshadows the other or both rise together as equals, their journey from college teammates to professional stars is a narrative worth watching — and one that could be talked about for years to come.