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North Carolina Central coach Trei Oliver accuses Virginia Tech of tampering now-UVA RB J'Mari Taylor

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko07/27/25nickkosko59
USATSI_19642112 (1)
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina Central coach Trei Oliver accused Virginia Tech of tampering with now-Virginia running back J’Mari Taylor. CBS Sports reported VT is now investigating this claim.

“Virginia Tech is investigating a tampering claim from North Carolina Central coach Trei Oliver, who said Friday that the Hokies last season conducted a recruiting scheme against an active player on his roster,” the report read. “Oliver said that Virginia Tech sent an assistant coach to one of his games last year and that the coach was on the sideline to attempt to pull running back J’Mari Taylor into the transfer portal and onto the Hokies roster.”

Taylor played for North Carolina Central from 2020-24 and finished his career at the school No. 10 on the program’s career rushing list. He had 1,882 yards. Last season, Taylor had 1,146 yards on the ground and was NCCU’s first 1,000 yard rusher since 2005. He also had 15 touchdowns.

Virginia Tech released a statement upon the investigation. Taylor did not end up as a Hokie, but the program is looking into his transfer.

“This is the first time the issue has been brought to our attention, and no concern has previously been shared with us through any formal channel,” Virginia Tech said in a statement. “Virginia Tech takes all NCAA rules seriously and is committed to conducting our program with integrity. We are reviewing the matter internally and will address any findings appropriately.”

Per the report, Oliver said he noticed a Virginia Tech staffer on the sideline before a game last November against Howard. He was allegedly told that the unnamed assistant was on campus to see an NCCU assistant athletic director.

“That was pretty bold,” Oliver said, via CBS. “I couldn’t believe it. A couple coaches tried to calm me down and say, ‘Yeah, Coach, he’s just down here visiting.’ But I knew what it was … Two weeks later, my kid got in the portal. Then they were the first people trying to get in his ear. But like I said, thank God he went to UVA, and UVA is going to beat the smoke out of them other folks.”