INDIANAPOLIS — Two former Notre Dame running backs brought back memories of their college days at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine when Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price decided to room together once again.
The arrangement mirrored their time as college teammates, but this time the dynamic duo that formed one of college football’s most explosive backfields are competing as individuals rather than partners. Both are focused on demonstrating their individual talents to boost their standing before April’s NFL Draft.
“I’m going to go out there and be myself, no matter where I go, no matter when my name’s called, I’ll be Jeremiah Love,” he said before Saturday’s workouts in Indianapolis.
“But it’s a great honor, seeing if people recognize me, and I plan to go out and prove myself right, prove everybody else right as well.”
The partnership between Love and Price produced remarkable results during their three seasons together, built on deep respect and admiration for each other’s contributions.
Love accumulated close to 3,000 rushing yards, placing him seventh on Notre Dame’s all-time rushing list despite starting just 29 games and carrying the ball only 71 times as a freshman. His 2025 campaign saw him establish a new program record with 21 total touchdowns, while becoming the first Irish player to record two touchdown runs of 90-plus yards. His outstanding performance earned him third place in last year’s Heisman Trophy voting.
Price proved to be far more than a complementary player, providing a powerful second option that kept opposing defenses from getting any relief when Love needed a breather.
Price accumulated nearly 1,700 rushing yards with 21 touchdowns and made history as the first Notre Dame player to record multiple kickoff returns of 100-plus yards.
Their combined success led to both earning All-American recognition last season, and draft analysts currently rate them as the top two running backs available in this year’s draft.
“Almost every coach and interview I had the past couple days,” Price said when asked how many teams have inquired about his play on special teams. “I told them all the same (thing), I love special teams and I attack it like I attack offense. I’m willing to do anything when it comes to special teams.”
Love and Price aren’t the only celebrated running back partnership reuniting in Indianapolis.
Penn State’s Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton arrived on campus in 2022 with enormous expectations as one of the country’s most highly-touted freshman backfield combinations. Though they delivered individually, becoming only the second pair of Nittany Lions teammates alongside Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards, they fell short of the ultimate goals of capturing a national championship or Big Ten title.
Despite the tendency for running backs to slide down draft boards, Allen and Singleton maintain top-10 rankings in this year’s class. Strong pre-draft performances could potentially elevate them back into the top five positions they once held.
Former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar endorses both players as excellent value selections regardless of their draft position.
“I definitely think they’re the two most complete backs in the country,” Allar said, noting Allen finished his career as the school’s career leader in all-purpose yards while Singleton set the program’s career mark for total TDs. “I am excited for them and to see them compete and grow as we move forward in our journeys together. And whoever gets those two guys are going to get guys that are dedicated to the team, very hard workers, and obviously really talented football players.”
Each of the four running backs faces specific challenges in proving their NFL readiness.
Though Love impressed scouts with his signature hurdles and demonstrated improved pass-catching ability in 2025, he feels his blocking capabilities haven’t received proper recognition. Price and Allen must demonstrate they can handle increased workloads against the bigger, stronger defenders they’ll face in the NFL, while Singleton needs to prove his health after appearing at Friday’s media session with his broken right foot in a walking boot.
“Obviously, I’m upset that I’m not doing anything right now,” Singleton said. “At the same time, I’m still grateful to be out here.”
Singleton expects to remove his walking boot next week and intends to participate in pro day workouts to give scouts a direct look at his abilities.
For this weekend, however, the four running backs enjoyed a nostalgic reunion.
“The biggest thing that makes me feel comfortable is we were roommates during this process, and we were roommates at Notre Dame on the road,” Price said, referring to Love. “So it just feels like an away game for us.”
