notre dame
notre dame
As impossible as it seemed, Notre Dame may somehow be able to fill the massive void left by 2026 NFL first-round picks Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price this season.
First-time starter CJ Carr and Notre Dame’s offense had a major luxury last season. They had not one, but two elite running backs rumbling out of their backfield in 2025. In his junior season, Love emerged as the nation’s No. 1 RB. Running for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, when he needed rest, the Fighting Irish were able to turn to Price. An RB2 who ran for 674 yards, 11 touchdowns, and posted a 6.0 yards-per-carry average.
Unfortunately for Notre Dame, that outstanding play caught the eyes of NFL talent evaluators. And despite this being an era in the league where RBs have lost value, both Love and Price were selected in the opening round of April’s NFL Draft. It left a massive void in the backfield for the Irish entering the 2026 campaign.
Notre Dame freshmen get comparisons to Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price
Entering the summer, junior Aneyas Williams, sophomore Kendren Young, and freshman Nolan James Jr. are seen as the favorites to get the most touches in the new season. However, the buzz about fellow freshmen Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne has been growing. This week, offensive coordinator Mike Denebrock added to the speculation about the youngsters’ potential to eventually replace Love and Price.
“When you hand those guys the ball, it’s reminiscent of what we’ve watched the last couple of years. I’m not comparing them to those guys, but they have something about them that is really, really cool, and they’re home run hitters.”
– Mike Denbrock
That is very high praise for the two freshmen. As Denbrock mentioned, he isn’t making an apples-to-apples comparison. However, if the potential wasn’t there, he wouldn’t suggest that when they touch the ball, it feels similar to Love and Price.
Both have a ways to go to eventually get carries in games that count this year. However, if the team’s offensive coordinator is high on their capabilities, he will get them into games if the options ahead of them aren’t delivering.