BYU leading rusher LJ Martin to return for senior season

BYU rushing back LJ MartinThe Big 12’s leading rusher and 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 league-high 236 carries in 2025, scoring 12 touchdowns and added 255 receiving yards on 36 receptions. He missed the Pop-Tarts Bowl win against BYU georgia tech He suffered an injury on October 25 after undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury. iowa state,

“His decision will be whether he comes back and plays his senior year or 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 now, or if he had to wait, it would not be beneficial to him either way.”

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Martin has led BYU in rushing each of the last 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 rushing leader.

Martin will return to quarterback bear bachmeyer And as for the other BYU, which reached the 2025 Big 12 title game and had 23 wins over the past two seasons, is aiming for its first College Football Playoff appearance in 2026.