Texas high school football added another first-round name to the list when former Denison star Jadarian Price was selected No. 32 overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
At Denison, Price built a reputation as one of the most explosive athletes in the state. He had the blend every coach wants, power through contact, breakaway speed, and the kind of burst that changes games in one touch. Major programs came calling, but Price chose Notre Dame and bet on himself.
That bet paid off.
His college career began with adversity after an Achilles injury wiped out his freshman season. Many players never fully recover from that kind of setback, especially at running back. Price responded by getting stronger, more patient, and more dangerous once he returned.
When he got rolling, he became a weapon in multiple ways.
Over his final three seasons at Notre Dame, Price rushed for 1,692 yards and 21 touchdowns while averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He also became one of the nation’s top kick return threats, scoring three career kickoff return touchdowns. In 2025, he posted 15 total touchdowns despite splitting carries in a talented backfield. He added 761 all-purpose yards that season and helped power Notre Dame to a spot in the national title game, proving he could produce on the sport’s biggest stage.
NFL teams noticed the versatility.
Seattle gets a back who can run inside, bounce outside, catch the ball, and help immediately on special teams. He also arrives with something coaches love, toughness built through setbacks.
That timing matters even more now. Seattle’s backfield changed after Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker departed for Kansas City, creating a major opening for touches and explosiveness. Price steps into a room where carries are available, not just earned slowly over time. His versatility could make him valuable from day one on early downs, third downs, and return teams. For a contender trying to stay dangerous on offense, Price may be walking into one of the better rookie opportunities in the league.
For Texas fans, this is another reminder of what Friday nights can produce.
Denison developed the foundation. Notre Dame sharpened the tools. Now Price heads to Seattle with first-round status and a real chance to become the next Texas product making noise on Sundays.
