Over the last few years, the Texas Tech Red Raiders have taken an “outspend everyone to beat everyone” approach to building their roster. However, when head coach Joey McGuire set his sights on former Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, he ran into a player who found his role and relationships in South Bend more valuable than money.
While addressing the media earlier this week after his second game with the Seattle Seahawks, Price was asked whether there was ever any real threat of him transferring to avoid sharing time with Jeremiyah Love. Price said he was never close to leaving, but that wasn’t for lack of trying from programs like Tech.
“Not really,” Price said. “I was really close when my mom heard about what Texas Tech was offering,” the running back said with a big smile. However, while she might have wanted her to go where the money and more playing time were available, he came up with an argument that won her over.
“I told her, just wait until the NFL money hits, and we'll be good. She trusted me on that, and look what happened.”
Jadarian Price bet on an NFL future rather than leaving Notre Dame football for NIL money
Price’s story isn’t new or unique. He’s talked about some schools coming calling for him through the Transfer Portal with many of the same offers. These schools talked to him quite a bit about how he could get more playing time while also making more NIL money. These teams told him that playing time would give him a better shot at being drafted earlier by the NFL.
His backfield mate last year, Jeremiyah Love, had some of the same stories. While Love’s stories were more about his time in high school and his commitment to Notre Dame, he also had a few people approach him in college. Both men ignored offers of more money because they wanted to stay where they were and loved the atmosphere in South Bend.
Price said as much after a follow-up question about why he decided to stay with the Fighting Irish. “The group of guys, the coaches, like, it was the place I wanted to be. I wanted to finish my degree, all of that. I wanted to go back and compete for a national championship, have my name on the wall.”
With Texas Tech unable to lure him away from Notre Dame, Price posted three very good seasons, with his last two offering eye-popping numbers, even if they were about half of what they would have been if he’d been alone in the backfield.
In 2024, Price rushed for 746 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Last year, he ran for 674 yards and another 11 scores while averaging 6.0 yards per rush.
Staying with Notre Dame didn’t hurt his draft chances much, if at all, after those two seasons teaming up with Love. While the Arizona Cardinals took his Notre Dame backfield mate with the No. 3 overall pick, the Seattle Seahawks still selected Price in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
His split carries didn’t hamper his development either, as he’s tied for the team lead in rushes (23) while leading in yards (104) and yards per carry (4.5).
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