It’s only Week 4, but the discussion of who the best player in the Big 12 is right now boils down to just a small club of stars, including BYU Cougars running back LJ Martin.
As expected, Martin is powering the BYU backfield through a 3-0 start as the senior chases historical numbers, surpassing Taysom Hill among the school’s all-time leading rushers with his recent performance at Colorado State (176 yards, 3 touchdowns).
The El Paso, Texas, native now sits at No. 6 among all-time rushers averaging 5.5 yards per touch and 109.3 yards per game so far this season, with wins over Utah Tech, Arizona, and last week in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Martin, the defending Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, is easily one of the league’s dominant backs, and national analyst Shehan Jeyarajah had a tough time arguing otherwise in a recent interview with BYUtv Sports Nation.
Martin is still another 1,032 yards from BYU’s all-time leading rusher Jamaal Williams (2012), but, coming off a 1,305-yard season in 2025, and with 328 yards already on the season, the senior has a strong start.
If the Cougars are destined to have a Big 12 title, it’s hard to imagine such a scenario without Martin hitting such a number in the backfield. Factor in a potential CFP bid and Martin could hit that number should he keep pace this season. He’s led BYU in rushing for three consecutive seasons since 2023 with 2,541 yards and 203 touchdowns before launcing his senior campaign.
Moreover, the Cougars are thin at running back beyond Martin. Secondary ball carrier Sione Moa is missing a second season due to an MCL and PCL tear against Utah Tech, and Preston Rex has shifted to running back from safety to help lighten the load. Two true freshman, Journee Tonga and DeVaughn Eka, are waiting in reserve.
BYU returns to the road on Thursday, Oct. 3 at TCU. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. CT.
