J’Mari Taylor highlights group of undrafted UVA football offensive players to earn NFL deals
The former ’Hoo can earn a shot to play on Sundays.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: J'Mari Taylor #RB19 of Virginia participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images While Virginia Cavaliers running back J’Mari Taylor was certainly hoping to have his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft, the former ’Hoo will still get his chance to earn an NFL roster spot this summer. Taylor, who earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2025, agreed to an undrafted free agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night in the hours following the conclusion of the draft.
On his way to #Duuval J’Mari Taylor x @Jaguars #GoHoos 🔶⚔️🔷 pic. twitter. com/sY2pKyq0CQ — Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) April 26, 2026 Taylor began his collegiate career as a walk-on at North Carolina Central but went on to finish inside the top 10 of the Eagles’ all-time rushing yards leaderboard before taking his talents to Charlottesville for the 2025 season.
At Virginia, Taylor quickly separated himself as the workhorse in a crowded Cavalier backfield, rushing for a team-high 1,062 yards (third-most in the ACC) and 14 touchdowns while adding an additional 253 yards and a score through the air. At 5-foot-9, 199 pounds, Taylor’s metrics at the NFL Combine weren’t otherworldly (he received a below-average ‘Athleticism Score’ of 57), but UVA fans know just how talented he is between the lines. With many mock drafts predicting Taylor to be a day-three pick, the Jaguars are getting a steal in the versatile Charlotte, North Carolina, native.
Taylor runs with a deadly combination of power and elusiveness, evidenced by multiple breakaway touchdown runs, including a season-high 78-yard scamper in a UVA win at Duke in mid-November. With Taylor going undrafted, Virginia’s streak of having a player selected in four consecutive NFL drafts comes to an end. Three former ’Hoos who went on to finish their collegiate careers elsewhere, however, did find homes in the draft.