Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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2022 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER Chad Rogers coached Notre Dame running back signee Jadarian Price from 2019-21, but when Price was just an eighth grader he was already telling his college contacts that he had a special player coming up for them to check out. And then Price ran for 1,421 yards and 16 touchdowns as a freshman, which caught the attention of college coaches. "We knew we had something special with him, and the best part about him was that he didn't act like he was 'all that' off the field," Rogers said. "I've never seen him talk trash. He just goes out there and plays." Price totaled nearly 5,000 yards rush- ing (only 10 yards shy) and had 55 rush- ing touchdowns in his Denison (Texas) High career. As impressive as that is, it's what Price is off the field that is most impressive. While that is cliché, it's simply the truth when it comes to Price. "I coached him for three years, and he was only late once," Rogers said. "He told me that it would never happen again, and it never happened again. We never worried about his grades; he took care of that. "He's self-driven and knows there's life after football. He's going to be suc- cessful way after football is over." Rogers has been coaching football for more than 30 years, and Price asked a question to a college coach that he had never heard before from a prospective student-athlete. "Jadarian asked, 'What's in place for me after I graduate? What type of pro- grams are in place?' I thought that was unique for a high school junior to say," Rogers added. Price enters a talented Notre Dame backfield even despite the loss of Kyren Williams to the 2022 NFL Draft. Price is a dark horse to break into the running back rotation this fall. And if he does, he'll be ready for it. "Denison, Texas, lives and breathes football," Rogers added. "He's been under the microscope since he was in eighth grade. The lights can't get much brighter for a 14-year-old who was handed the key to the city, and he han- dled everything with grace and dignity. He goes through life looking to bless people." ✦ Jadarian Price Has Been Under The Spotlight But Focuses On Others Price racked up nearly 5,000 yards and 55 touchdowns on the ground during his prep career, but it's what he offers off the field that is truly special. PHOTO BY MIKE SINGER BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2022 63 JADARIAN PRICE RUNNING BACK 5-10 · 190 DENISON H.S. DENISON, TEXAS RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE consensus ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 214 14 36 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 19 55 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 226 19 35 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 242 5 36 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 165 14 28 STATISTICS • Had 193 carries for 1,803 yards and 18 touch- downs, plus 27 receptions for 327 yards and one score, and one kickoff return touchdown in just 11 games as a senior. • Totaled 174 carries for 1,145 yards and 18 scores in 2020, plus added 28 catches for 219 yards and a touchdown. • During his 39-game high school career, amassed 4,990 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns. • Holds Denison school record in carries, and ranks third in rushing yards and fourth in rushing touchdowns. • Set a school record for longest play with 105- yard kickoff return for a touchdown. NOTABLE • Born on Oct. 9, 2003. • 2020 and 2021 District 7 5A D2 Offensive Player of the Year. • One of 10 players in Texas to receive the 2021 Dave Campbell Impactful Leadership Award. • 2021 second-team Academic All-State selec- tion. • 2018 District 7 5A D2 Newcomer of the Year. RECRUITMENT • Committed on Feb. 21, 2021. • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January 2022. • Picked the Irish over Baylor, Ohio State, Stan- ford, USC and others, despite not having made a trip to South Bend. • Recruited by former Notre Dame running backs coach Lance Taylor. • Visited Notre Dame a total of three times, in- cluding two official visits (June 2021 and December 2021) and a home game last October. 2022 PROJECTION • An early enrollee, Price will be able to compete for carries right away at running back with Kyren Williams off to the NFL and a wide-open backfield. THEY SAID IT Former Notre Dame linebacker Mike Goolsby: "He's a Texas running back, so I like that. You can check the box with his level of competition. There's a big upside with him, but he's got some filling out to do. "He's a hard runner, and I think he'll get faster as he continues to develop. Price catches the ball really well, too. He's a well-rounded back." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "What he lacks in great size, he more than makes up for in speed, moves, balance and production. Price gets low, rarely absorbs significant contact, and he shows a nice blend of quickness and pa- tience waiting for the hole to open. He also shows a good pair of hands and is deadly when in space. "A true breakaway back with a bright future, he increases his speed after hitting the hole. Price is a very impressive all-around back who can play run- ning back or receiver in college. He certainly shows the ability to become a difference maker."