Virginia RB J'Mari Taylor Signs With the Jacksonville Jaguars as an Undrafted Free Agent

Running back J'Mari Taylor has become the first Virginia Cavalier to find an NFL home following the 2026 NFL Draft, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.

Taylor spent one season at Virginia after transferring into the program, and during that lone year in Charlottesville, he demonstrated the explosiveness and versatility that made him an attractive professional prospect. His ability to contribute as both a runner and a pass-catcher out of the backfield gives him the kind of dual-threat profile that modern NFL offenses value.

The Jaguars have been active in restructuring their backfield, and Taylor will enter a competitive but opportunity-rich environment in Jacksonville. As an undrafted free agent, he'll need to prove himself quickly — on the practice field, in preseason games, and on special teams — to earn a spot on the final roster.

Being the first Cavalier off the board in this year's draft class carries significance for the Virginia program. It reinforces the school's ability to develop transfer-portal talent into NFL-caliber players, a selling point that matters increasingly in the era of free player movement across college football.

Taylor's path — transferring for a final collegiate season and then leveraging that exposure into a professional opportunity — is becoming a well-trodden one. It highlights the strategic role the transfer portal can play for players who bet on themselves at a new program.

What This Means For You: J'Mari Taylor's signing is a reminder that the NFL draft is just one door into the league. Undrafted free agents routinely make rosters and sometimes become stars. For Jaguars fans, Taylor is a name to watch in training camp — his pass-catching ability could make him a valuable third-down option if he develops quickly.