Explosive kick returner Jadarian Price electrifies with nation-leading average, notching two touchdowns and All-America status.
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price has been named a Walter Camp Second Team All-American. The Irish back was part of the nation's best one-two punch at running back, but this honor was earned for his work as the most explosive kick returner in college football.
The Texas native averaged an astounding 37.5 yards per kick return, which would have led the nation if he had enough returns to quality for the final standings. Teams didn't kick to Price much due to his big play return skills that included a pair of kick returns for scores. Price was one of just four players to return two kicks back for touchdowns, but he had the fewer returns among those players and had the best return average.
His first kick return of the season was a 100-yard run against Purdue to end the first half scoring. Price already had two rushing touchdowns in the game and the kick return was his third score of the half. Price finished that game with four total touchdowns. He also had a 42-yard return in the game and finished the victory with 216 total yards and four touchdowns on just 11 touches.
Price's second scoring return of the season was even bigger. USC had just taken 24-21 lead late in the third quarter of their rivalry matchup, but Price made sure that didn't last long. He returned the ensuing kick 100 yards for a go-ahead - and ultimately game winning touchdown. Notre Dame went onto win that game 34-24 and truly got its season back on track. Price finished the win over USC with 209 yards of offense and a pair of touchdowns. Both of his touchdowns in the game put the Irish ahead of the Trojans.
The Texas native finished the 2025 season with 674 rushing yards, 450 kick return yards, 87 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns. His two kick returns this season ties a Notre Dame single-season record that was last accomplished by CJ Sanders back in 2016, and his three career kick returns tied Sanders and trails only Raghib Ismail on the all-time career list. Price currently has a 36.1-per return average during his Notre Dame career. Price likely finished his Notre Dame career with 1,692 rushing yards, 162 receiving yards, 794 return yards and 27 total touchdowns.
Price finished his senior season with 1,211 total yards and 15 touchdowns. Price and backfield mate Jeremiyah Love both topped 1,000 total yards this season. Love finished with 1,652 yards this season.
This is the third All-America honor for Price, who was also named a first team All-American by Sports Illustrated a second team All-American by USA TODAY Sports.
———————
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook