Explosive kick returns and game-changing touchdowns propelled Jadarian Price to elite first-team All-American status. He redefined dominance on special teams.
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price has earned another All-American honor, but this time he has been named a first-team player from Sporting News as their top kick returner. Price earned second-team All-America honors from Walter Camp and third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press.
Here is why Sporting News put Price on their first team:
"Price returned just 12 kicks this season, but he returned two for TDs and averaged 37.5 yards per return. The 100-yard kickoff return TD against rival USC was the go-ahead score in a 34-24 victory. Price also rushed for 674 yards and 11 TDs." - Sporting News
Price 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 return of the season was even bigger. USC had just taken 24-21 lead late in the third quarter, 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 was certainly an impact player on offense as well, but he was a game changer throughout his career as a return man.
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