The Virginia football team continues to mine the transfer portal for roster reinforcements and the Hoos added another commitment on offense Wednesday. Running back J’Mari Taylor, a North Carolina Central transfer, made the most recent call for the Cavaliers. He visited this week.

Taylor announced his choice on social media and Virginia already announced that he has signed.

Taylor is the sixth portal pick-up this cycle, joining Chandler Morris (QB), Daniel Kaelin (QB), Jacob Holmes (DT), Devin Neal (DB), and Ja’Son Prevard (DB). This is the third addition for the offense, but the first outside of the quarterback position. UVA continues to pursue offensive linemen in addition to these early portal signees.

The 5’11”, 200-pound back will bring depth to a position group that worked through numerous injuries this season and had limited players available for the finale. Returning players include Xavier Brown, who saw his season end early with a broken collarbone, Noah Vaughn, and Donte Hawthorne. True freshman Xay Davis signed and is expected to join next summer.

With Taylor, the Cavaliers are adding a productive back from the Football Championship Subdivision. He rushed for 1,882 yards and 23 touchdowns on 353 carries during his career. That included a big 2024 season where he broke through for 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns. Taylor also caught 30 passes for 271 yards and 2 TDs this year. He has 9 career receiving touchdowns.

Taylor had four 100+ yard games this season. That included a monster outing against Howard where he piled up 206 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 24 carries to go with 6 catches for 78 yards. He also had 196 rushing yards and 1 TD alongside 5 catches for 34 yards against Morgan State, where fellow portal signee Prevard played.

Taylor’s play caught the attention of multiple suitors in the transfer portal. He visited Virginia Tech in addition to UVA and had a visit scheduled to Michigan State as well.

High school highlights for Taylor can be found on Hudl here.

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