LJ Martin has quickly become one of the brightest young stars in college football. A powerful and versatile running back for Brigham Young University (BYU), Martin’s early career has already drawn national attention, earning him a spot on the 2025 Doak Walker Award Watchlist as one of the top backs in the country. With a mix of speed, size, and natural instincts, he has positioned himself as a future NFL prospect.
Early Life & High School Career
LJ Martin was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, where he made his name at Canutillo High School. Standing at 6’2” and 220 pounds, Martin’s size and athleticism were apparent from an early age.
During his junior year, he rushed for over 2,700 yards and 29 touchdowns, putting him on the radar as one of Texas’ best high school running backs. His senior season was even more impressive — 2,137 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, earning him Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 5A First-Team All-State honors and the District MVP Award.
Martin’s high school stats over two seasons were staggering:
- 4,874 rushing yards
- 52 rushing touchdowns
- 15 receptions for 376 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns
- Even 2 completions as a passer for 31 yards and a touchdown
He initially committed to Stanford University but later flipped to BYU, believing Provo was the right place to grow both on and off the field.
BYU Career
Freshman Season (2023)
Martin made an immediate impact in his first year at BYU. Despite joining as a true freshman, he quickly rose to the top of the depth chart and led the Cougars in rushing. His freshman stats:
- 518 rushing yards on 109 carries
- 4 rushing touchdowns
- Averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry
One of his breakout games came against Arkansas, where Martin scored two touchdowns and helped BYU secure a critical win.
Sophomore Season (2024)
In his second year, Martin continued to improve despite being limited to 10 games due to injury. Even so, he finished 10th in the Big 12 in rushing with:
- 723 rushing yards
- 7 touchdowns (7th most in the Big 12)
His strong season earned him All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, setting the stage for national recognition.
Junior Season (2025) – A Breakout Year?
The 2025 season opener against Portland State showed that Martin was ready for stardom. He rushed for 131 yards on just 8 first-half carries, including multiple runs over 40 yards. Averaging 16.4 yards per carry, he helped BYU build a commanding 42–0 halftime lead.
With this performance, Martin moved closer to cracking the Top 25 rushers in BYU history. His combination of power and explosiveness has made him one of the most dangerous backs in college football.
Family & Personal Life
Athletic talent runs deep in Martin’s family.
- His father, John Martin, played basketball at Western New Mexico University.
- His mother, Genevieve, was a standout softball player at the same school.
Martin is currently majoring in biomechanics at BYU, balancing academics with his growing football career.
Honors & Recognition
- Doak Walker Award Watchlist (2025) – given to the nation’s top running back
- All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (2024)
- Texas 5A MVP (2022) in high school
- TSWA First-Team All-State (2022)
LJ Martin Quick Facts
- Full Name: LJ Martin
- Position: Running Back
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Hometown: El Paso, Texas
- High School: Canutillo High School
- College: Brigham Young University (BYU)
- Major: Biomechanics
FAQs on LJ Martin
Q. What is LJ Martin’s position?
A. LJ Martin plays as a running back.
Q. Where is LJ Martin from?
A. LJ Martin is from El Paso, Texas.
Q. How tall is LJ Martin?
A. LJ Martin is 6 ft 2 in tall.
Q. Is LJ Martin on the Doak Walker Award Watchlist?
A. Yes, in 2025, he was named to the watchlist for the nation’s best running back.
LJ Martin is more than just a promising running back — he’s quickly becoming one of the faces of BYU football. From his record-breaking high school career in Texas to leading the Cougars in rushing as a true freshman, Martin’s journey reflects determination, resilience, and natural ability. With his size, speed, and vision, he is a player to watch not only in the Big 12 Conference but also as a future NFL prospect.
