Why the Jaguars Rookie Running Back Is Defying the Odds Entering 2026
After losing veteran running back and former first-round selection Travis Etienne in free agency to the New Orleans Saints, the Jacksonville Jaguars had a lot of pressure to replace their starting running back. While the team believes in the ability of Bhayshul Tuten to step up in his sophomore season and actually improve the core as a whole, more needs to be done in training camp to prove that the Jaguars are confident in their rushing attack entering 2026. The team signed former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. and veteran Ameer Abdullah to help increase the depth of the room. However, Rodriguez underwent foot surgery and missed the majority of the offseason program, while Abdullah is 33 years old and lacks the ability to make an impact anywhere on the field besides special teams. In order to give Tuten some actual help, general manager James Gladstone went out and signed undrafted rookie J’Mari Taylor out of Virginia.
Prior to Virginia, Taylor spent his first few collegiate seasons at North Carolina Central. In three seasons as an Eagle, the Charlotte native rushed for 1,882 yards and 23 touchdowns. His best season came in 2024 with the Eagles as their main rusher, having 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns. After transferring to Virginia in 2025, the 24-year-old had a successful season at a higher competition level. He adapted well, rushing for 1,062 yards and 14 touchdowns. Throughout his collegiate career, Taylor was known to have good hands as well as to become a receiving back. In four seasons, he racked up 868 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Although never a punt returning and only doing a handful of kick returns, the 24-year-old joined the Jaguars with the mentality of strictly helping to continue the success of the rushing attack that head coach Liam Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski have set up.
Jacksonville already has sophomore LeQuint Allen for the receiving back game plan, meaning Taylor will help share the workload of Tuten if he makes the starting roster. In camp, the 24-year-old has had a strong start to OTAs and has made stellar plays in training camp. His athleticism is there, and his young age provides a lot of flexibility in the depth chart. An already crowded backfield in Jacksonville will make it an uphill battle, but numerous injuries and surgeries sidelining the competition could create a clear path for the former Hokie to make the roster in 2026 and for the foreseeable future.
