Five members of UVA football’s defense sign NFL free agent deals

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 27: Virginia Cavaliers linebacker James Jackson (1) lines up for a play during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl between the Missouri Tigers and the Virginia Cavaliers on December 27, 2025 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The 2026 NFL Draft is now complete. And while, surprisingly, not a single Virginia Cavalier had his name called throughout the 257 picks this year in Pittsburgh, we’ll still see plenty of former ’Hoos at NFL training camps this summer.

Five members of last season’s defense signed undrafted free agent deals not long after the conclusion of the draft: LB James Jackson —> Tennessee Titans CB Jordan Robinson —> Tampa Bay Buccaneers EDGE Mitchell Melton —> Indianapolis Colts S Devin Neal —> Jacksonville Jaguars DT Jahmeer Carter —> Los Angeles Chargers Jackson joins the Titans after five years in Charlottesville. Serving as one of the linchpins of the defense and the program, the Virginia native now officially turns the page on his college career after amassing 254 total tackles and providing the locker room with consistent leadership not only in 2025, but as Tony Elliott began his tenure with the ’Hoos. Like Jackson, Jahmeer Carter is another prime example of a culture guy carving out a path at the next level.

He’ll head to LA, joining a fellow ACC guy in Akheem Mesidor from Miami and South Carolina’s Nick Barrett as new talent in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. On his way to Music City @james1jacksonn x @Titans #GoHoos 🔶⚔️🔷 pic. twitter.

com/6EikTetPg8 — Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) April 26, 2026 Jordan Robinson carved out a huge role in the secondary after transferring over a season ago. His size at 6-foot-four, 210 pounds should give him a fighting chance to stick in the league. He finished his lone season as a ’Hoo with 24 tackles and four pass breakups.