J’Mari Taylor highlights group of undrafted UVA football offensive players to earn NFL deals

TL;DR

J'Mari Taylor, a running back from UVA, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft. He was joined by three other UVA offensive players who also secured NFL opportunities.

Key points

J'Mari Taylor signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent
Taylor rushed for 1,062 yards and 14 touchdowns at UVA
Four other UVA offensive players also secured NFL opportunities

J'Mari TaylorJacksonville JaguarsMiami DolphinsNew York Giants

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. 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, , 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. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who began his career as a quarterback with Virginia in 2021, went 43rd overall to the . Wide receiver , who racked up 1,849 receiving yards in three seasons at UVA from 2021 to 2024, went 74th overall to the . And offensive lineman Logan Taylor, who was in Charlottesville from 2021 to 2022, went 202nd overall to the . In addition to Taylor, three other members of Virginia’s 2025 offense found NFL landing spots for the summer. Quarterback earned an invite to the ’ rookie camp; electric wide receiver and returner Cam Ross agreed to a UDFA deal with the ; and tight end Sage Ennis earned a rookie camp invite as a fullback with the Miami Dolphins. In total, , and they’ll get the chance to prove they belong at the next level in camp.

Q&A

Which NFL team signed J'Mari Taylor after the 2026 Draft?

J'Mari Taylor signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.

What were J'Mari Taylor's college football achievements at UVA?

At UVA, J'Mari Taylor rushed for 1,062 yards and 14 touchdowns in the 2025 season, earning First Team All-ACC honors.

How many former UVA players found NFL opportunities this year?

A total of 10 former UVA players found NFL homes for the summer, including J'Mari Taylor and three others from the 2025 offense.