What started as a solid pickup in the transfer portal by Tony Elliott and his staff ended up being a match made in heaven for the Virginia Cavaliers when J’Mari Taylor chose to pledge to UVA, coming from NC Central. Taylor started to turn heads in the spring game by running hard and showing his ability to catch the ball coming out of the backfield. But few, if any, expected Taylor to end the season as the ACC’s leading rusher and earn First-Team All-ACC honors.15 HOOS with All-ACC honors 🔥#GoHoos 🔶⚔️🔷 pic.twitter.com/uqT6K19EyK— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) December 2, 2025The senior RB ended the regular season just short of 1,000 yards with 997, which ended up being the leader in the clubhouse by 58 yards, with NC State’s Hollywood Smothers trailing behind him. Taylor also added 14 touchdowns, which led ACC running backs, but Georgia Tech’s QB Haynes King took the rushing touchdown crown home with 15 regular-season scores.Taylor had the opportunity to reach the four-figure mark in rushing yards and maybe even add a rushing score to his season total in the second half of Virginia’s victory over rival Virginia Tech. But instead of insisting he do so, he pulled a selfless move that proves how tightly knit this group truly is. He wanted his teammates who don’t get to see the field as much to get some action, and told Tony Elliott not to worry about getting those extra three yards.”It’s been a match made in heaven.”Tony Elliott said late in the Virginia Tech game, he found out UVA RB J’Mari Taylor was 3 yards away from 1,000 yards.Elliott approached Taylor to ask if he wanted to go back in to get 3 more yards, Taylor said “Coach, I’m not worried about…— Preston Willett (@PrestonWillett) November 30, 2025Taylor reached the 100-plus yard mark in three of the Wahoos’ 12 games this season, had four multiple-touchdown games (his longest touchdown of the season was a 78-yarder against Duke to put UVA up 31-3 and really seal the game,) and he claims two game winning touchdowns for Virginia this season against Louisville in overtime and later on in the year in Chapel Hill against UNC.133 yards ✔️Dominant win ✔️J’Mari Taylor and @UVAFootball continue to stay in command. pic.twitter.com/zaLxD3VMbz— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 20, 2025Taylor becomes the first Virginia running back to claim First-Team All-ACC honors since Alvin Pearman did it back in 2004.The Charlotte native will look to continue his success in his hometown against Duke in the ACC Championship game on Saturday, December 6, at Bank of America Stadium. We will have all the updates on the contest here at Streaking the Lawn.