BYU running back LJ Martin, the Big 12’s leading rusher and Conference Offensive Player of the Year, will return to the Cougars for his senior season.
Martin announced his decision Thursday, with an Instagram graphic that read: “Not done yet.” The junior had 1,305 rushing yards on a Big 12-best 236 carries in 2025, scoring 12 touchdowns and adding 255 receiving yards on 36 receptions.
“His decision is going to be whether he comes back and plays his senior year or whether he goes to the NFL,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said before the bowl game. “With that in mind, there was a small window where he could have the surgery done now, or if he had to wait, it wouldn’t be beneficial for him, either way.”
Martin did not play in BYU’s Pop-Tarts Bowl win against Georgia Tech following surgery for a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the season.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Martin has led BYU in rushing in each of the past three seasons, and has 2,541 career yards with 23 touchdowns on 482 carries. He needs 1,347 rushing yards to become BYU’s all-time leader.
Martin now returns alongside rising sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier, as the Cougars will be a trendy pick to return to the Big 12 Championship Game, which they lost to Texas Tech last month.
