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J'Mari Taylor
Bio
- Hometown: Charlotte, NC
- School: Virginia
- Year: R-Senior
Measurables
- Height: 5-9
- Weight: 205
Scouting Report
J'Mari Taylor is a true underdog story. He was a zero-star recruit out of high school and walked on at North Carolina Central University in 2020 as a freshman. There, he gradually built his role, going from special teams and limited carries to becoming the workhorse by his senior season. After a breakout 2024 season, Taylor entered the transfer portal and moved to Virginia. His impact was immediate, logging five touchdowns in his first two games. He became the team's primary weapon in 2025, amassing 1,315 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns.
Taylor's experience has helped him develop into a savvy runner who waits patiently for his blocks to develop. Even when a gap isn't there, Taylor has a knack for slipping through tight creases and getting downhill decisively. He's a smaller back, but he plays much bigger than his size suggests. He's a tough runner with good contact balance. His fundamentals as a blocker aren't great, but his intensity and effort make him serviceable on passing downs. The concerns with Taylor are that he has just one year of FBS-level competition under his belt and that he's a bit undersized. But the nuanced footwork, effort, and resilient college path should get him on many teams' draft boards.
Rundown
Taylor's path through college was arduous, but his steady improvement, grit, and eye-popping footwork should be enough to get him drafted, even if only as part of a split backfield.
Player Comp
NFL Range of Outcomes
Special Teams to Above-Average Starter
For more information on J'Mari Taylor and the rest of the 2026 rookie class, get our Rookie Guide today! And come back to this page after the NFL Combine and NFL Draft for updated information!
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