LJ is known among coaches and teammates for his relentless work ethic, consistently staying late after practice to refine his footwork and build strength in the weight room. His quiet determination and commitment to improvement have made him one of BYU’s most dependable and respected players on and off the field.

LJ Martin is a native of El Paso, Texas, and a 6‑foot‑2, 225‑pound junior running back for the BYU Cougars. After a standout high school career at Canutillo High—where h rushed for 2,137 yards and 23 touchdowns—he joined BYU and flourished, rushing for 518 yards and four touchdowns in 2023 and improving to 718 yards and seven scores in 2024. He was named Offensive MVP of the 2024 Alamo Bowl following a dominant performance with 88 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and 33 receiving yards in BYU’s win over Colorado. Now fully healthy heading into the 2025 season, Martin is ready to take on a leadership role in the backfield. Though he privately aims for a 1,000‑yard rushing season, his primary goal remains simple and team‑oriented: helping BYU win every game on the schedule. Off the field, Martin is focused on building strength, mastering his playbook, and stepping into his voice as a mature team leader.