Virginia’s J’Mari Taylor is heading to Mobile - and he’s earned every bit of it.
The standout running back has officially accepted an invitation to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, set for January 31 in Mobile, Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network, and Taylor will be one of the names to watch.
It’s no surprise he’s getting the nod. Taylor piled up 1,335 all-purpose yards this season - 1,062 on the ground, 253 through the air, and 20 more on kick returns - while finding the end zone 16 times.
That includes 14 rushing touchdowns, a receiving score, and even one through the air. Versatility?
Check. Production?
Absolutely. And most importantly, he was a driving force behind Virginia’s 10-win season - just the second in program history.
Ask anyone around the Cavaliers’ locker room, and they’ll tell you the same thing: Taylor’s the kind of back you can count on when it matters most.
“Anytime you get the ball in his hands, he’s going to make some good plays,” said quarterback Chandler Morris. “He’s been extremely reliable for us.
You trust him in big moments - third-and-7, we’ve handed it to him and he’s moved the chains. He’s one of the top backs in the country for a reason.
He’s smart, he knows the playbook inside and out, and he takes protecting me seriously. I love playing with that guy.”
That mix of football IQ, toughness, and consistency has made Taylor a cornerstone of Virginia’s offense. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed by head coach Tony Elliott.
“First of all, he’s available,” Elliott said. “He finds a way to stay healthy.
Even when he’s banged up, he’s out there. And when Saturday comes, no matter how he’s feeling, he plays.
His ability really shines at this level - he makes people miss, he runs with power, he sees the field, he finds the cutback lanes. He’s just a competitor.
He shows up every day ready to work.”
That availability - that drive to show up no matter what - is something Taylor takes pride in.
“It’s a big shoutout to my teammates, the coaching staff, and just taking care of my body,” Taylor said. “I can’t stand missing practice. If I’m standing on the sideline watching, sure, I can help the younger guys, but I’ve got this urge - I’ve got to be out there practicing.”
That mindset has translated into one of the most productive seasons by a Virginia running back in recent memory. Taylor became just the 16th player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.
His 14 rushing touchdowns led all ACC backs in 2025 and were the most by a Cavalier since Keith Payne in 2010. He also earned First Team All-ACC honors from both the league and the Associated Press.
Now, he’ll get the chance to showcase his game on one of college football’s biggest pre-draft stages - the Senior Bowl - where NFL scouts, coaches, and executives will be watching closely.
For Taylor, it’s another step in a journey defined by toughness, talent, and an unwavering commitment to the grind. And if his college career is any indication, he’s not done turning heads just yet.