Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have been selected as the latest running back duo in the first round of the NFL Draft. This marks a significant achievement for the university and highlights the historical value of running backs in the NFL.
Key points
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are selected in the NFL Draft.
They are from Notre Dame, marking a significant achievement.
The running back position's value is historically significant.
Multiple first-round running backs from the same school are rare.
The running back position doesn't quite have the same luster it did in the past, with NFL front offices seemingly undervaluing the spot and its impact on winning.
Still, few positions have proven as historically significant as tailback in NFL history. The draft bears out that reputation, with franchises often investing heavily into the position come draft day.
Sometimes, that investment takes on a curious disposition. Every now and then, the same school produces multiple first-round-caliber tailbacks. The list of first-round running back duos isn't all that exhaustive, especially in the past half-century. But it remains a strong indicator of the position's value -- both to the programs that crafted these enchanting talents and the organizations that have backed them at the next level.
With that, here's what you need to know about the history of first-round running back tandems from the same school.
Since 1976, just four RB tandems from the same school have been selected inside the first round in the same draft. Here's a look at that fantastic four, as well as how they performed over the course of their careers.
2026: Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Love and Price anchored Notre Dame's offense during their spells in South Bend. Love powered the Irish's attack, capturing the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back after amassing more than 1,600 yards of total offense and 21 total scores as a junior.
Q&A
Which Notre Dame running backs were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft?
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are the Notre Dame running backs selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
How significant is it for a school to have multiple first-round running backs?
Having multiple first-round running backs from the same school is a strong indicator of the program's ability to develop top-tier talent.
What does the selection of running backs in the first round indicate about their value?
The selection of running backs in the first round indicates that franchises still recognize the historical significance and impact of the position on winning.
What is the historical trend for first-round running back duos in the NFL Draft?
First-round running back duos from the same school are rare, making their selection a notable event in NFL Draft history.
Related Articles
Sports
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder visit Phoenix with 2-0 series lead
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Randle and the Timberwolves host Denver with 2-1 series lead
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Where will Diego Pavia be drafted? What scouting reports say about 2026 NFL Draft chances
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Is Emirates Stadium atmosphere a problem for Arsenal? Analysing Mikel Arteta's team at home in the title race
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Where will Carson Beck be drafted? What scouting reports say about 2026 NFL Draft chances
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Real Madrid president determined to fire Alvaro Arbeloa – report
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Predictably, Price lagged behind his high-profile backfield mate. He remained productive, however, averaging six yards a carry while recording 11 rushing touchdowns in just 113 carries.
Those performances were enough to see Love and Price be selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Love heard his name first, becoming the NFL's highest-paid running back after the Cardinals made him their No. 3 pick. 29 picks later, Price joined him in the NFC West, taking hold of the Seahawks' running back room as the final pick of the first round.
McFadden and Jones were fire and lightning, combining for 3,000 rush yards in their junior year. Both were named All-Americans, although McFadden -- a two-time Doak Walker winner -- was seen as the better of the two prospects.
Unsurprisingly, McFadden saw his draft number be called first; the Raiders selected him with the No. 4 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Jones didn't have to wait too long to join his former Arkansas teammate, with the Cowboys selecting him with the No. 22 pick.
Neither player was able to hit the heights their draft position might have suggested. McFadden posted two 1,000-yard seasons but struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances for much of his career. Jones, too, had flashes of brilliance in his early career. He was out of the sport by 2013, however, unable to overcome injury concerns.
Williams and Brown conjured spells during their time at Arkansas, emerging as the SEC's most dangerous backfield duo. They were rewarded for their exploits with lofty draft slots -- Williams was selected No. 3 in the NFL Draft by the Buccaneers, while Brown was selected No. 5 by the Dolphins.
Williams looked on track to have the better playing career, capturing Rookie of the Year honors after recording nearly 1,200 yards in his maiden year in Tampa Bay. His performances fell off as injuries reared their ugly head. By 2012, Williams' NFL career was over, with his rookie season accounting for more than a fourth of his total career yardage.
Brown, meanwhile, dazzled in Miami, emerging as one of the NFL's most exciting runners in the Dolphins' wildcat system. A one-time Pro Bowler, Brown wasn't quite a supernova. But with nearly 7.500 yards from scrimmage to his name, he enjoyed a better career than most at his position.
Williams and Anderson dazzled for Florida in the mid-1980s, finding lanes -- and success -- behind the Gators' vaunted "Great Wall of Florida" offensive line. They combined for more than 5,500 rushing yards across their four years in Gainesville, earning four All-SEC honors between them.
Both players entered the NFL Draft in 1986, hoping to come off the board in the draft's early stages. Their wishes were granted; Williams went No. 15 overall to the Seahawks, while the Bears selected Anderson No. 27 overall.
Both Williams and Anderson were wildly successful across their professional careers. The former was a two-time Pro Bowler who played in Super Bowl 30 for the Steelers, while the latter made four straight Pro Bowls from 1988-1991. Anderson ranks third in rushing yards (6,166) and second in touchdowns (51) in Chicago history. He spent the whole of his eight-year career in the Windy City.
Jeremiyah Love vs. Jadarian Price stats
Here's a look at how Love and Price's college stats compare to one another:
