Irish-loyal: Notre Dame Despite a generous Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer from the University of Tennessee, Fighting Irish football standout running back Jadarian Price has steadfastly refused the tampering attempt and decided to stick with the Irish.

In the rapidly evolving world of college football, where the transfer portal spins like a carousel and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are rewriting the rules of loyalty, it’s becoming rarer to see a player resist the temptations of greener financial pastures. Yet, Notre Dame running back **Jadarian Price** is proving to be the exception to the new norm—an emblem of resolve, character, and deep-rooted allegiance.

Price, who emerged as one of the brightest stars in South Bend’s backfield during the 2024 season, recently turned heads not just for his on-field production, but for a decision off the field that has electrified the Notre Dame fan base. Despite receiving what insiders have called a “significant” NIL offer from the University of Tennessee—a package reportedly laced with seven-figure potential—Price refused to enter the transfer portal. Instead, he reaffirmed his loyalty to Notre Dame and declared he would finish what he started in the blue and gold.

His decision speaks volumes about who Jadarian Price is and what the Fighting Irish football program still means in a shifting college landscape.

Price’s value skyrocketed after a breakout 2024 campaign that saw him step up in a major way following injuries to key players. The junior running back rushed for over **1,100 yards** and added **14 total touchdowns**, becoming a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s offense under head coach Marcus Freeman. Known for his sharp vision, low center of gravity, and breakaway speed, Price earned All-ACC honors and quickly became a fan favorite in South Bend.

As his stock rose, so did the interest of other programs. Behind the scenes, sources say Tennessee initiated contact through third parties, offering Price a lucrative NIL package if he entered the portal. According to multiple reports, the offer included **signing bonuses, local endorsements, housing perks**, and additional financial incentives tied to team performance.

This wasn’t just a generic inquiry—it was a full-fledged tampering attempt, and Price knew it.

Instead of chasing money, Price chose meaning. “Notre Dame was the school that believed in me when others had doubts,” Price said in a private interview with close associates that was later shared with reporters. “They stood by me when I was injured and gave me the tools to succeed. I’m not turning my back on that just for a check.”

Price tore his Achilles before the 2022 season and was forced to redshirt that year. It was a long road back, one that included countless rehab sessions and late nights studying playbooks rather than stardom. The university’s faith in him during that period is not something he’s forgotten.

Sources within the program say Marcus Freeman and running backs coach Deland McCullough were instrumental in building a relationship of trust with Price and his family. “Coach Freeman never treated me like I was expendable,” Price reportedly told teammates. “At Notre Dame, I’m not just a player—I’m a person.”

That belief, along with the spiritual and academic fit Notre Dame provides, helped Price block out the noise coming from Knoxville.

Price’s decision has also reignited conversations about the darker side of NIL and the ethical murkiness surrounding the transfer portal. Technically, direct contact between a program and a player not in the portal is **tampering**—a clear NCAA violation. But enforcement has been lax, and the whispers around the sport have grown into roars.

In the current landscape, NIL collectives operate in a gray area, contacting player representatives and dangling offers that often far exceed what the athlete can earn at their current school. These deals frequently include **non-disclosure agreements**, making them difficult to trace.

Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick has been vocal about this issue. “We are operating in a system with no guardrails,” he said in a recent interview. “Tampering is rampant, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep young men focused on education and team culture when dollar signs are being waved in their faces.”

Yet, even in this chaotic environment, Price’s decision stands out as a symbol of hope that tradition, culture, and loyalty still have a place in college football.

The reaction from Notre Dame fans and alumni has been swift and emphatic. Former Irish running back **Autry Denson** praised Price on social media, writing: “This young man gets it. It’s not just about the money—it’s about legacy, loyalty, and leadership. Respect.”

Notre Dame legend **Jerome Bettis** also weighed in: “We live in a time where athletes are being pulled in every direction. For Jadarian to stay rooted in faith and fidelity to the Irish says a lot about his character.”

Meanwhile, fans have flooded message boards and social media with their appreciation, some even suggesting the formation of a “Loyalty Collective” aimed at rewarding players who turn down bigger NIL offers to stay with the Irish. One tweet read: “We don’t just need to recruit 5-star players; we need to **retain 5-star men**. Jadarian Price is that.”

On a practical level, keeping Price is massive for Notre Dame’s football ambitions in 2025. The team is poised to be a serious College Football Playoff contender, returning several key starters on both sides of the ball. The offensive line remains stout, and with Price in the backfield, they have a proven weapon who can control tempo, extend drives, and punch it in from the red zone.

Quarterback **CJ Carr**, a five-star recruit, will benefit immensely from having a dependable running back behind him during his first season as the starter. Price’s presence also eases pressure on the passing game and allows offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to maintain a balanced attack.

In a recent spring press conference, Denbrock didn’t mince words. “Having Jadarian back is everything. He’s a game-changer, and more than that, he’s a tone-setter in the locker room. When your best players are your hardest workers, good things follow.”

Price’s loyalty doesn’t just impact this season—it reverberates through the program. In an era where high school recruits closely watch how schools treat their players and how players respond in turn, Price becomes a walking billboard for Notre Dame’s values. He is what Marcus Freeman wants this program to be known for: tough, humble, faithful, and committed.

Incoming freshman and fellow Texas native **Justin Thurman**, a four-star running back in the 2025 class, mentioned Price during his signing day remarks. “I saw how Jadarian carried himself, and that’s someone I can look up to. Notre Dame is about more than football.”

By staying put, Price becomes more than a player—he becomes a **standard**.

Price’s decision could be a turning point for how athletes view NIL and loyalty. While NIL is here to stay—and rightfully so—there is growing fatigue among fans about the constant roster churn and mercenary feel to modern college football.

For all the calls to “let the kids get paid,” there’s also a yearning for the return of meaningful ties between players and schools. Jadarian Price’s rejection of Tennessee’s offer doesn’t solve the NIL mess, but it does suggest that some players are still choosing **legacy over leverage**.

The contrast between schools that build culture and those that buy rosters is growing sharper. As one Notre Dame staffer privately noted, “We can’t outbid everybody. But we can outclass them.”

Notre Dame fans have long clung to the idea that the Irish do things differently—more honorably, more purposefully. That ethos has been under siege in recent years by the commercialization of college football, the rise of NIL, and the expanding reach of the portal.

Yet, in Jadarian Price, they’ve found a counterpoint to the cynicism.

By refusing Tennessee’s millions, he didn’t just stay at Notre Dame—he **stood for** Notre Dame. He reaffirmed that the program still matters. That the gold helmet still holds weight. That brotherhood, faith, and legacy can still win out over short-term gain.

Price’s future is bright, whether it includes an NFL career or not. But no matter where the road leads, he’s already carved his place into Notre Dame lore.