Virginia’s J’Mari Taylor Earns Senior Bowl Invite After Breakout Season
J’Mari Taylor’s rise from walk-on to one of the ACC’s most dynamic offensive weapons just earned him one more accolade: a spot in the 2026 Senior Bowl. The Virginia running back has officially accepted an invitation to college football’s premier all-star showcase, set for January 31 in Mobile, Alabama.
The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. ET from Hancock Whitney Stadium, home of the South Alabama Jaguars, and will be broadcast live on NFL Network. For Taylor, it’s a well-deserved opportunity to showcase his skills in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives after a season that firmly put him on the national radar.
A Season to Remember
Taylor didn’t just have a good year-he had a historic one by Virginia standards. The senior back led the ACC in rushing during the regular season, helping power the Cavaliers to just their second 10-win season in program history.
His production was as versatile as it was explosive: 1,335 all-purpose yards, including 1,062 on the ground, 253 through the air, and another 20 on kickoff returns. He found the end zone 15 times-14 rushing, one receiving, and even tossed a touchdown pass for good measure.
That kind of versatility is rare. Taylor became the first ACC running back since 1999 to record at least 14 rushing touchdowns along with both a passing and receiving score in the same season-a feat last accomplished by Maryland’s Lamont Jordan. His 14 rushing touchdowns led all ACC backs in 2025 and were the most by a Cavalier since Keith Payne’s 2010 campaign.
He also joined elite company in Charlottesville, becoming just the 16th player in program history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.
From Walk-On to All-ACC
Taylor’s path to stardom wasn’t conventional. He started his college career as a walk-on at North Carolina Central before transferring to UVA. Now, he’s not only a First Team All-ACC selection but also a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the nation’s top player who began their career as a walk-on.
That kind of trajectory doesn’t just speak to talent-it speaks to work ethic, resilience, and a relentless drive to prove himself at every level.
Continuing a Legacy
Taylor is the fourth Virginia player in the past three seasons to earn a Senior Bowl invite, joining Anthony Johnson and Dontayvion Wicks in 2022, and Jonas Sanker in 2024. In total, 53 Cavaliers have received invitations to the prestigious game since 1963. Under head coach Tony Elliott, the program has steadily produced NFL-caliber talent, and Taylor is the latest example.
The Senior Bowl will give Taylor a chance to further elevate his draft stock against the best seniors in the country. And based on the season he just had, don’t be surprised if he turns heads in Mobile the same way he did all season in the ACC.
This is more than just an all-star appearance-it's a celebration of a remarkable journey. From walk-on to all-conference, from overlooked to undeniable, J’Mari Taylor’s story is still being written. And the next chapter is set to begin on one of the sport’s biggest pre-draft stages.