INDIANAPOLIS — At this year’s NFL scouting combine, former Notre Dame running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price reunited, sharing a room like old times from their college days. Although no longer teammates on the field, both athletes arrived in Indianapolis to showcase their individual abilities as they prepare for the upcoming NFL draft in April.
Love emphasized his commitment to authenticity, stating before Saturday’s drills,
“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 added,
“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 two backs share a deep mutual respect for each other’s college careers, reflecting on their combined success over three seasons at Notre Dame.
Impressive College Achievements for Love and Price
Jeremiyah Love amassed nearly 3,000 rushing yards, securing the No. 7 spot on Notre Dame’s all-time rushing list despite starting only 29 games and having just 71 carries as a freshman. In 2025, he set a school single-season record with 21 total touchdowns, became the first Irish player to record two touchdown runs exceeding 90 yards, and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Jadarian Price also made a strong impact, rushing for almost 1,700 yards and matching Love’s 21 touchdowns. Notably, Price became the first player in Notre Dame history to have two kickoff returns of 100 yards or more. Both earned All-American honors last season and are widely viewed as the leading running backs in this draft class.
Price spoke about his special teams role, saying,
“Almost every coach and interview I had the past couple days, 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.”
Penn State’s Dynamic Rushing Duo Join the Combine
Not far behind in prominence, Penn State’s Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton brought their celebrated collegiate backfield to Indianapolis as well. Both joined the Nittany Lions in 2022 amid high expectations, praised as one of the nation’s best freshman running back duos.
Throughout their time at Penn State, Allen and Singleton exceeded individual milestones, joining legends Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell as the school’s only teammates to each surpass 2,000 career rushing yards. However, team goals such as winning a national title or a Big Ten championship eluded them.
Despite the challenges, they remain rated among the top 10 running backs in this draft class. With strong performances during pre-draft workouts, some analysts believe they could rise back into the top five selections.
Former Teammate Highlights Their Strengths and Dedication
Former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar praised Allen and Singleton’s all-around skills, declaring,
“I definitely think they’re the two most complete backs in the country.”
He pointed out that Allen holds the school record for all-purpose yards, while Singleton leads in career touchdowns.
Allar expressed enthusiasm for their future, stating,
“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.”
Challenges Remain for All Four Running Backs
Each player faces tests to prove their full potential at the next level. Love has earned praise for his signature hurdles and has improved his receiving skills but feels his blocking abilities have not been sufficiently recognized. Price and Allen must demonstrate they can handle the demands of carrying a heavy workload against stronger NFL defenders.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Singleton arrived in Indianapolis contending with a broken right foot, requiring a walking boot that limited his combine participation.
Singleton expressed mixed emotions:
“Obviously, I’m upset that I’m not doing anything right now, but at the same time, I’m still grateful to be out here.”
He plans to remove the boot next week and participate in Penn State’s pro day workouts to provide scouts with a clearer evaluation of his physical condition and skills.
Familiarity Provides Comfort Amidst Combine Pressure
For the weekend, the atmosphere allowed this group of running backs to reconnect and find familiarity amidst the pressures of professional evaluation. Price reflected on the shared experience, saying,
“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. So it just feels like an away game for us.”
As the 2026 NFL draft approaches, these standout backs from Notre Dame and Penn State will continue working to solidify their prospects, hoping to translate collegiate success into professional opportunities.
