The NFL Scouting Combine reunites two of college football’s most dynamic running back tandems: Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, and Penn State’s Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. These backs, who once shared the spotlight as teammates, are now competing individually to boost their draft stock, proving their worth beyond their collegiate successes.
The Legacy of Notre Dame’s Backfield Duo
Notre Dame’s tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price was one of college football’s most electric duos. During their time in South Bend, they combined for nearly 5,000 yards and 42 touchdowns, cementing their place in Notre Dame’s record books. Love, who finished third in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting, broke the program’s single-season record with 21 total touchdowns. Price, meanwhile, became the first Notre Dame player to record two kickoff returns of 100+ yards, showcasing his versatility on special teams—a skill NFL teams are eager to exploit.
Despite their individual accolades, both players emphasized the importance of their partnership. “It feels like an away game for us,” Price said of reuniting with Love at the combine. Their chemistry, forged over years of sharing the backfield and even dorm rooms, has given them a unique edge in handling the pressures of the pre-draft process. Yet, their focus has shifted to proving themselves as standalone talents.
Penn State’s Powerhouse Backs: Allen and Singleton’s Journey
Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton arrived at Penn State as one of the nation’s most hyped freshman backfields. Though they never secured a national or Big Ten title for the Nittany Lions, they etched their names into program history. Allen became the school’s leader in all-purpose yards, while Singleton set the career mark for total touchdowns. Their combined rushing totals surpassed 2,000 yards each, a feat previously achieved only by Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell.
Their success wasn’t just statistical. Drew Allar, their former quarterback, called them the “two most complete backs in the country,” praising their dedication and work ethic. At the combine, Allen and Singleton faced a different challenge: proving they can handle the rigors of an NFL workload. For Singleton, the journey is particularly arduous. After sustaining a broken foot, he’s hoping to shed his walking boot next week and perform at Penn State’s pro day. “I’m upset that I’m not doing anything right now,” he admitted, “but I’m still grateful to be out here.”
Why the Combine Matters for Draft Stock
Running backs often face an uphill battle in the draft, with their value frequently diminished in an era dominated by pass-heavy offenses. However, Love and Allen are generally ranked among the top 10 backs in this year’s class, with potential to climb higher after strong pre-draft workouts. The combine gives them a platform to showcase spike skills—Love’s blocking and pass-catching, Price’s special teams prowess, and Allen’s ability to handle a full workload. For Singleton, the focus will be recover when he gets his chance at Penn State’s pro day.
Scouts will be watching to see if these backs can translate their college dominance into NFL potential. Love, for instance, is eager to prove his hurdling is not just highlight material but a product of elusive maneuvering and balance. Price, meanwhile, continues to emphasize his elite special teams ability, telling teams he “loves special teams” and “attacks it like I attack offense.” Allen’s consistency and Singleton’s recovery timeline will also be under scrutiny.
A Moment of Reflection and Competition
The combine is as much about reflection as it is about competition. For Love and Price, sharing a room again—just as they did at Notre Dame on away game weekends—brings back memories of a partnership that helped define their college careers. For Allen and Singleton, the moment is a reminder of the opportunities they still have despite the shared glum ending to their time in Happy Valley.
Yet, this weekend was not just a reunion—it was a stepping stone. The quartet is now competing against each other and every other back in the draft. How they stack up in drills, interviews, and physical metrics will determine their draft slots and potential career trajectories. The camaraderie is there, but the race to April’s draft night is well underway.
In the end, the real success will be measured by how each athlete translates their personal strengths—Love’s hurdles, Price’s special teams play, Allen’s all-purpose dominance, and Singleton’s adaptability—into an NFL role. The combine was just the opening act. Now, the spotlight turns to pro days and private workouts, where careers are forged in the moments between hope and reality.
For the fastest, most insightful coverage of the NFL Draft and beyond, stay locked into onlytrustedinfo.com. Whether you’re tracking draft prospects or dissecting career-defining performances, we break down the story so you know why it matters—before anyone else even reports what happened.
