An ACC rushing champion out of Virginia, J'Mari Taylor signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent after a breakout transfer-portal season.
J'Mari Taylor arrives in Jacksonville as a compact, quick-footed back who spent four years grinding as a walk-on before exploding onto the scene in his final college season. He is fighting for a roster spot in a crowded Jaguars backfield, betting that his 2025 production at Virginia translates to an NFL opportunity.
Path to the league
Taylor began his college career as a walk-on at North Carolina Central, where he built himself into a featured back over four seasons, rushing for 1,882 yards including 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. He transferred to Virginia for his final season of eligibility and went undrafted in the 2026 NFL draft before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 26, 2026.
Career highlights
Taylor's signature achievement came in his lone season with the Cavaliers, where he led the ACC in rushing and earned first-team All-ACC honors. At 5-foot-9 and 199 pounds, he has built a reputation as an underdog who has had to prove himself at every level, from walk-on status to the transfer portal to an undrafted NFL contract.
2025 season recap
In his only season at Virginia, Taylor was the Cavaliers' starting running back and piled up 1,335 all-purpose yards, made up of 1,062 rushing yards, 253 receiving yards, and 20 kickoff-return yards, along with 15 total touchdowns in 13 games. That performance led the conference in rushing and earned him first-team All-ACC recognition.
Sources
- Wikipedia: J'Mari Taylor
- ESPN: J'Mari Taylor
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Virginia
- Hometown
- Charlotte, NC, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
