Notre Dame running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were named to the Doak Walker Watch List, which was announced on Aug. 6. The award annually honors the nation’s top college football running back. The Notre Dame player who came closest to winning the award was tailback Reggie Brooks, who was a finalist in 1992.
Love and Price certainly have big shoes to fill following the departure of Audric Estime to the Denver Broncos. Estime rushed for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Irish last season. The talented pair of runners will also need help from a rebuilt and depleted offensive line this season if they are to make an impact.
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price: A two-man attack
With Love and Price on the team, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will likely go with a two-man attack in the backfield this year. Both players have shown playmaking ability despite a lack of impressive stats. Love rushed for 385 yards on 71 carries as a freshman in 2023. He showed what he can do by completing two 30-yard runs, including a 36-yard touchdown run against Tennessee State. Love finished the season with two touchdowns – one rushing and one receiving. He also caught eight passes for 77 yards.
Price had to sit out his 2022 freshman season due to injury. Last year, he played in all 13 games, contributing on offense and special teams. Price finished the season with 272 rushing yards and an average of just under six yards per carry. Last year, he ran for three touchdowns and scored a season-high 54-yard run in the Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State. At the Sun Bowl, he led the Irish in rushing with 106 yards on 13 carries. In addition, he caught five balls in 2023 for a total of 65 receiving yards and a touchdown. Against USC last October, Price scored a 99-yard touchdown on a kickoff and was named Special Teams Player of the Game following that victory over the Trojans.
Backfield: Key to offensive success
Love and Price are just the latest in a growing list of Notre Dame players on national watch lists. It will be interesting to see how Denbrock utilizes Love and Price as he tries to establish the Irish’s passing game under dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard.
The potential of Notre Dame’s backfield has generated a lot of buzz in the offseason. How Denbrock uses Love and Price will be a key factor in the success of the Irish offense in 2024. A strong rushing attack can take the pressure off Leonard. He will help control the tempo and open up the passing game. With Love and Price, a balanced Notre Dame offense can be the recipe for an extremely competitive season. Even without Estime.
