Notre Dame running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have been named to the Doak Walker Watch List, which was announced on August 6th. The award annually honors the nation’s best running back in college football. The closest a Notre Dame player has come to winning the award was tailback Reggie Brooks, who was a finalist in 1992.
Love and Price certainly have large shoes to fill following the departure of Audric Estime to the Denver Broncos. Estime bulldozed his way to 1,341 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns last season for the Irish. The talented pair of runners will also need help up front this season from a rebuilt and depleted offensive line if they will make an impact.
Jeremiyah Love And Jadarian Price: A Two-Man Attack
With Love and Price in the mix, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will likely go with a two-man attack in the backfield this year. Both players have flashed their playmaking ability despite a lack of impressive statistics. Love rushed for 385 yards on 71 carries as a true freshman in 2023. He showed what he can do in breaking off a pair of 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 snagged eight passes for 77 yards.
Price spent his true freshman season sidelined with an injury in 2022. He played in all 13 games last year, contributing on offense and special teams. Price finished the season with 272 rushing yards, averaging just under six yards per carry. He rushed for three touchdowns last year and broke a season-long 54-yard run in the Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State. In the Sun Bowl, he led the Irish in rushing with 106 yards on 13 carries. Additionally, he hauled in five receptions in 2023, totaling 65 receiving yards and a touchdown. Against USC last October, Price returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and was named the Special Teams Player of the Game following that victory over the Trojans.
Backfield A Key To Offensive Success
Love and Price are just the latest in a growing list of Notre Dame players garnering national watchlist recognition. It will be interesting to see how Denbrock utilizes Love and Price while trying to establish the Irish’s passing game under dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard.
The potential of Notre Dame’s backfield has generated significant buzz over the offseason. How Denbrock utilizes Love and Price will be a key factor in the Irish offense’s success in 2024. A potent rushing attack can alleviate pressure on Leonard. It will help control the tempo and open up the passing game. Featuring both Love and Price, a balanced Notre Dame offense can be a recipe for a highly competitive season. Even without Estime.
