“Mike,” Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider says waving over head coach Mike Macdonald as he is calling the soon-to-be 32nd overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, Jadarian Price. Soon after the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish, now Seattle Seahawk running back answered the phone, John told Price,
“Hey, man, we’re getting ready to pick you here, brother.”
Words every NFL hopeful waits to hear during the draft. “Yes
sir,” Price responded to his new GM, and from there on out, you can hear and see the excitement and emotion from everyone. John is beaming speaking to Price on the phone, “All your stuff throughout the spring was outstanding. It’s so fun to watch you play. And, man, we can’t wait to make you a Seahawk, bud.” “Yes sir, I appreciate you,” Price told John in response, elation in his voice knowing he was finally be the lead back on an NFL team. Throughout his college experience, Price has been the relief back, the running back 2 to Jeremiah Love who was the lead back for the Fighting Irish. As Love has stated himself, Price was as talented as him, but due to Love getting all the attention, Price did not get as much time to shine. Now, it is Price’s time to show the world what he is made of. Claps filled the room as Mike took the phone from John, Price’s time to speak to his Head Coach. Mike was all smiles as he got his first round running back on the phone. Chuckles of excitement filled the conversation, what makes the Seahawks special was soon evident,
“Who are you with right now?”
The Seahawks are a family, they care about the individual, and they put their family in high importance. “I am with the family, man. Everybody, everybody.” Price responded. You could hear the smile on his face, and you could see in a video posted by Notre Dame, he was not lying. A family surrounded the new Seattle Seahawk in their families home, celebrating him, his hard work, his dedication, all coming to fruition. In that video, you can tell the pride his family has for him being able to see his dream come try, and the big permanent grin on his face said it all.
Now it was time for offensive coordinator Brian Fleury to speak to his new running back. A former Run Game Coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, the rushing attack is going to be important for Fleury’s offense to run smoothly, and having the right running back to make it churn will be key. Now, Fleury has his running back.
“Hey, man. I loved meeting you at the combine. I love everything about you. That chip on your shoulder. Don’t lose that, man. That’s gonna work. It’s gonna make you great in the league, alright?”
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Price posted solid numbers, a 4.49 second 40 yard dash, 35” vertical jump, 21 reps on the bench press, and most impressively, a 10’4” long jump. Having an explosive, one cut, versatile running back is key to the wide zone concept offense that Fleury will utilize, a continuation to the style of offense that made the Seahawks a Top 10 Offense in the NFL in the 2025 season. A big part of that was their run game, especially in the playoffs with Kenneth Walker III. With Walker now leading the Kansas City Chiefs running back room, Fleury needed a new explosive running back. Enter the NCAA’s explosive run leader in Price with an explosive run rate of 21.2%. He certainly fits the bill of the type of running back that will make this offense go in 2026.
Finally, the man that Price will work with closely to get him up to speed on being an NFL running back came to the phone: Thomas Hammock, the Seahawks new running back coach. A former college running back himself, and previously the Baltimore Ravens running back coach from 2014-2018 where he met Mike, he is now going to be working with Price along with the other running backs on the roster.
“Those emotions are real, man. Enjoy this moment. Enjoy it with your family. And congratulations.”
You can hear the excitement brewing on the other end of the line as Hammock spoke to Price, reminding him to take in the moment, soak it in, and be present with it. “Yes sir, I will. Thank you,” He told Hammock. And soon after, he sat there on the couch with his family surrounding him, watching his name be called as the 32nd pick in the NFL Draft. His family screaming with joy, a beaming grin upon his face.
Jadarian Price, your new Seattle Seahawk.
