Jadarian Price did not sound like a rookie still basking in draft-night attention.
The Seattle Seahawks’ new first-round running back made his first public comments in Seattle after being selected No. 32 overall, and his message was direct: the celebration did not last long. Price said the reality of being an NFL player did not fully hit him until he began meeting with running backs coach Thomas Hammock and going through the Seahawks’ playbook.
“The type of person I am, as soon as something good happens, I’m like, ‘OK, on to the next. How can I get better from this point on?’” Price said, via the Seahawks’ official press conference. “It didn’t sink in until a couple days after I had the draft parties and all that stuff. When I’m really sitting down, meeting with coach Hammock and going over the playbook, I’m like, OK, it’s the real deal now.”
That is the kind of answer Seattle wanted to hear from a player drafted to step into a significant offensive storyline. NFL.com described Price as Seattle’s running back replacement after the departure of Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III, noting that the Seahawks used the final pick of the first round on the Notre Dame standout.
Seahawks News: Jadarian Price Makes First Public Comments as Seattle Seahawk
Price arrived in Seattle with immediate expectations, but he also arrived with a new number and a fresh start.
The Seahawks revealed Price will wear No. 8, a change from the No. 24 he wore at Notre Dame. Price said the choice was partly practical because it was available, but he also wanted something that reflected a new chapter.
“It was multiple factors,” Price said. “One of the numbers available, but also I wanted a little change, you know, new chapter in my life. Haven’t done single digits since I was like little league, so a new change I thought would be nice.”
Price’s introductory press conference came one day before Seattle rookies were scheduled to take the field for the first time at a two-day rookie minicamp. Seahawks.com noted that Price was joined Thursday by head coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center before rookie minicamp opened Friday.
Macdonald smiled when Price gave his “on to the next” answer, then pointed to the timing of the weekend as the unofficial beginning of a new team.
“This is such a great time of year,” Macdonald said. “New faces, draft picks, rookie camp this week — just a lot of excitement with the new team. This is really what kicks it all off.”
Price also made it clear he understands the opportunity in front of him. Asked about joining a winning organization and a team that wants to run the football, Price leaned on both gratitude and competition.
“I’m just blessed to be here in Seattle and part of a winning program, winning culture,” Price said. “Coming into a locker room and being able to compete, coming from a culture like Notre Dame and being taught so many things, the habits I created, they’ll translate to this NFL level.”
Those habits were a recurring theme. Price cited Notre Dame’s demanding academic and athletic schedule, punctuality and body maintenance as parts of his college routine that should carry over.
Seahawks Draft: Jadarian Price Leads Seattle Rookie Class
Price is not just another rookie trying to make a roster. He leads Seattle’s draft class because of where he was selected and because of what the Seahawks need him to become.
The Seahawks selected Price with the No. 32 pick in the first round, making him the headliner of an eight-player draft class that also includes TCU safety Bud Clark, Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal, Iowa guard Beau Stephens and Kansas wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
The football fit is easy to see. Price said outside zone is one of the concepts he likes most because it gives him options as a runner.
“I like the options it gives me as a runner,” Price said. “Just being able to stretch defense and puncture, as they say, and just allow the linemen to do what they do and get up to the second level on the double teams. I really like to see it develop.”
Macdonald said Seattle did not view Price strictly through the lens of how many times he ran a particular scheme at Notre Dame. Instead, the Seahawks focused on his movement, competitiveness, patience and cutback ability.
“When you talk about puncturing it, you could tell the patience,” Macdonald said. “You could tell him staying on track and then his cutback abilities, in my opinion, was clearly the best in the draft.”
That matters because Price is entering a running back room with different body types and skill sets, and Seattle appears to value his complete profile. Price said the part of his college game he wants to show more at the next level is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He also emphasized that pass protection at running back is about “mentality and will,” along with preparation and communication with the offensive line.
The Seahawks also like the person behind the player. Schneider called Price “a classy pro” and said the way he handled repeated pre-draft questions about staying at Notre Dame stood out throughout the process. Seahawks.com also highlighted Price’s background, including “Jadarian Price Day” in Denison, Texas, and his reputation beyond the field.
For Seattle, though, the most important message may have been the simplest one.
Price enjoyed draft night. Then he moved on. Now, with rookie minicamp underway and the playbook in front of him, the Seahawks’ first-round pick is already acting like the celebration is over and the job has begun.
Seahawks Get Blunt Message From Jadarian Price After NFL Draft