Shattering Expectations: LJ Martin’s True Breakout May Arrive in 2026

If you look closely at the history of BYU football, you’ll find one of the most quietly consistent running back pipelines in college football.

The program is often associated with its long line of prolific quarterbacks — Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Ty Detmer and others who helped define BYU’s offensive identity. But alongside that legacy is an equally compelling tradition of productive running backs, from Tyler Allgeier to Jamaal Williams, the latter now the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher.

Within that lineage sits a player who almost never arrived in Provo at all. LJ Martin’s recruitment was a winding road: initially committed to Texas Tech, then flipping to Stanford, only to make a final, unexpected decision on signing day to join BYU. Nearly three years later, that choice looks like a turning point for both player and program. Martin is now closing in on Williams’ career rushing record — and after what he showed last season, it feels less like a long shot and more like a matter of time.

The post-Allgeier era was a turbulent one for BYU, and Martin’s freshman season unfolded during a disappointing 5–7 campaign. Yet even in a year defined by inconsistency, Martin emerged as one of the team’s few bright spots. He finished with 518 rushing yards and four touchdowns, flashing a blend of vision, patience, and physicality that immediately set him apart. His production dipped over the final three games, but the overall body of work made one thing clear: BYU had stumbled into a special talent, one capable of reshaping the future of its backfield.

In 2025, Martin didn’t just break out — he established himself as one of the premier running backs in college football. His production told the story: six games with more than 100 rushing yards, highlighted by a 222‑yard performance in Week 11 against Cincinnati. He also expanded his role as a receiver, adding 255 yards on 36 catches and proving he could be a reliable all‑purpose threat in BYU’s evolving offense.

What makes Martin particularly intriguing heading into this season is how his game seems built for longevity. He’s not a back who relies on breakaway speed or a single defining trait; instead, he wins with balance, intelligence, and an instinctive feel for space that rarely fades with age. BYU’s offensive staff has also made it clear they want the run game to be a stabilizing force as the program adjusts to life in the Big 12. That combination — a maturing back with a complete skill set and a system ready to lean on him — sets the stage for Martin to move from promising underclassman to the centerpiece of BYU’s offense.

Coming off a successful 11-2 2025 campaign that featured a dramatic Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Georgia Tech, the Cougars spent part of the season knocking on the playoff door. With Martin returning for one more year, their chances of finally breaking through only grew—especially as he continues his pursuit of history as the greatest Cougar back of them all.