He wasn’t supposed to be here. Not really. When you look at the recruiting trail that led LJ Martin to Provo, it feels like one of those "sliding doors" moments in college football history. Stanford had him. He was a Cardinal commit, a blue-chip talent out of Canutillo High School in El Paso who seemed destined for the Pac-12 (back when that was a thing). Then, the coaching staff shifted, the vibe changed, and suddenly, BYU had their biggest running back recruit in a generation.
LJ Martin isn't just another guy in the backfield. He’s the physical manifestation of BYU’s transition into the Big 12.
If you watched BYU back in the day, you remember the pass-heavy schemes. The Cougars were "Quarterback U." But the Big 12 is a different beast entirely. It’s a league where you either bring the hammer or you get nailed to the turf. Honestly, Martin is that hammer. At 6-foot-2 and north of 210 pounds, he doesn't just run to the open space; he runs through people. It’s visceral. You can hear the pads popping from the nosebleeds when he hits the hole.
The El Paso Pipeline and the Flip That Changed Everything
Canutillo isn't exactly a traditional powerhouse that scouts flock to every weekend. It's tucked away in West Texas, far from the bright lights of Dallas or Houston. Yet, Martin put up video game numbers there. We’re talking over 6,000 career rushing yards. When he flipped his commitment to BYU, it sent a shockwave through the fan base. People knew he was good, but I don't think anyone realized he’d be starting as a true freshman in the toughest conference in the country.
Kalani Sitake has a knack for finding these guys. He looks for "DAWGS," plain and simple.
The transition wasn't seamless, though. Moving from El Paso to Provo is a culture shock, and jumping from 5A Texas high school ball to facing Big 12 linebackers is a vertical climb. Most freshmen hit a wall by October. Their bodies break down. The speed of the game becomes a blur. Martin? He just got leaner. He got faster. By the time the 2023 season was wrapping up, he was clearly the best offensive weapon the Cougars had on the roster.
How LJ Martin Redefines the BYU Rushing Attack
Usually, BYU likes a versatile back. Think Tyler Allgeier—a guy who could grind out yards but also catch a screen pass and take it 40 yards. Martin has that DNA, but there’s a specific violence to his running style that feels new.
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He runs "heavy."
What does that even mean? It means he has a low center of gravity despite his height. It means his contact balance is elite. You see defenders try to arm-tackle him, and they just bounce off like they’re hitting a moving brick wall. In 2024, as he dealt with some nagging injuries early on, the offense looked stagnant. When he returned? It was like someone flipped a light switch. The play-action pass worked again. The offensive line looked more confident.
The Statistical Reality of the "LJ Effect"
If you look at the numbers, the win-loss column for BYU often correlates directly with Martin’s touches. It’s not rocket science. When he gets 15+ carries, the Cougars control the clock. They keep their defense off the field. In the Big 12, where offenses like UCF or Oklahoma State can score in forty-five seconds, having a guy like Martin who can churn out four yards on a "bad" play is gold.
- Freshman Impact: He led the team in rushing as a true freshman, a feat rarely seen in Provo.
- The Big 12 Factor: His yards after contact (YAC) ranked among the top tier of the conference.
- Versatility: He isn't just a north-south runner; his hands out of the backfield have improved drastically.
He’s basically the security blanket for whatever quarterback is under center.
Dealing with the Sophomore Slump and Injury Bugs
Let’s be real: 2024 was a roller coaster. There was so much hype heading into his sophomore year. People were talking about 1,000 yards and All-Big 12 honors. Then the injury bug bit. It’s the curse of the physical runner. When you seek out contact the way LJ Martin does, your body takes a beating.
He missed significant time, and you could feel the collective anxiety of the Cougar faithful.
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The backup committee was fine, but they didn't have that "it" factor. They didn't make safeties hesitate. When Martin finally got back on the field against Arizona, the energy in LaVell Edwards Stadium shifted. You could see it in the first quarter. He took a handoff, cut back against the grain, and stiff-armed a defender into the turf. That’s the LJ Martin BYU fans fell in love with. It’s not just about the yards; it’s about the tone.
Why NFL Scouts Are Already Smelling Blood
It’s early, but you’d be crazy not to see the NFL potential here. Scouts love his frame. They love that he doesn't have a lot of "tread off the tires" yet compared to some four-year starters.
But there’s a catch.
The modern NFL wants backs who can pass protect. That’s usually where young guys struggle. You can be the fastest runner in the world, but if you let a blitzing linebacker kill your $40 million quarterback, you’re sitting on the bench. Martin has shown flashes of being a dominant blocker. He’s willing. He’s got the size to stalemated a defensive end if he has to. If he polishes that part of his game, we’re looking at a Saturday-to-Sunday transition that could be very lucrative.
Honestly, his ceiling depends on his health. If he stays on the field, he’s a Sunday player. Period.
The "Quiet Superstar" Persona
In an era of NIL deals, TikTok dances, and transfer portal drama, Martin is surprisingly low-key. He doesn't make a lot of noise. He doesn't tweet out cryptic messages when things go wrong. He just shows up, wears his visor, and puts in work. That blue-collar mentality fits the BYU culture perfectly. It’s why the coaching staff trusts him so much.
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He’s a leader by example.
You see him in the fourth quarter, breathing heavy, jersey torn, still asking for the rock. That’s infectious. It makes the offensive linemen want to block a little harder. It makes the wide receivers more willing to crack-back block on the edge. You can't coach that kind of respect; you have to earn it in the trenches.
What’s Next for the BYU Ground Game?
The future of the BYU offense is essentially hitched to Martin’s wagon. As the program continues to recruit more speed on the outside, it only opens things up more for the run game. Imagine a scenario where defenses can’t stack eight men in the box because they’re scared of getting burnt deep. That’s when LJ Martin becomes truly dangerous.
When he gets to the second level? Good luck.
He’s got a gear that people underestimate because of his size. He’s not just a "plodder." He can go the distance. We saw it in high school, and we’ve seen flashes of it in the blue and white.
Actionable Takeaways for Following LJ Martin’s Career
To really understand his impact, keep an eye on these specific things during the next few games:
- The "Success Rate" Stat: Forget total yards. Look at how many of his carries result in a 1st down or a 3rd-and-short. That’s where his value lies.
- Target Share: Watch how often the offensive coordinator screens him out of the backfield. If that number goes up, it means his NFL stock is skyrocketing.
- Fourth Quarter Grinds: Pay attention to the "four-minute drill." If BYU has a lead and needs to kill the clock, Martin is the closer.
Watch the tape. Don't just look at the box score. Notice how defenders approach him in the first quarter versus how they approach him in the fourth. Usually, by the end of the game, they don't want to hit him anymore. That’s the LJ Martin effect. It’s a war of attrition, and more often than not, he’s the one left standing.
Keep an eye on his recovery and load management. The staff is getting smarter about not overworking him early in the season so he’s fresh for the November stretch. If BYU wants to compete for a Big 12 title, they need 100% of LJ Martin. Anything less, and the offense loses its identity. He is the heartbeat of the team, the guy who defines what it means to be BYU-tough in a new, more physical era of college football.