LJ Martin News, Rumors, Updates - BYU Cougars

Scores but mostly contained in loss Martin posted nine rushes for 42 yards and gathered in their only target for zero yards during Saturday's 28-23 loss against Arizona State.

Impact The Sun Devils' defense was effective in shutting down BYU's running game, forcing the Cougars to drive the offense through the air. Martin recorded his worst rushing total since his 20-yard performance against SMU in Week 2, and he'll need to rebound to balance out the offense next week against Houston.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 76 rushng yards in loss Martin totaled 15 carries for 76 yards and reeled in their only target for one yard during Saturday's 17-13 defeat to Kansas.

Impact Martin was fairly productive against Kansas' defense, but itboth teams had difficulty finding the end zone, and the outcome was dependent on which defense made the most stops. Martin gis still the clear leader in the backfield behind Hinckley Ropati and his floor is pretty consistent.

NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Posts 68 rushing yards Martin accrued 11 carries for 68 yards and gathered in 0 of 2 targets for zero yards during Saturday's 22-21 win over Utah.

Impact Utah's defense kept BYU's offense in check for most of the game, but Martin helped his team move the bal to get them into position for a late field goal. Martin and Hinckley Ropati hold down the backfield for BYU, and MArtin gis on pace to exceed his totals from his freshman season.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Breaks 100-yard barrier in win Martin notched 15 carries for 101 yards and one touchdown and reeled in 1 of 3 targets for two yards during Saturday's 37-24 win against UCF.

Impact Martin is the clear leader of BYU's rushing attack, but Hinckley Ropati's return could curtail Martin's production somewhat. For the moment, Ropati is the presumed backup and Martin's role is safe moving forward.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Rushes for two scores Martin logged 20 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in 0 of 1 targets for zero yards during Friday's 38-35 win against Oklahoma State.

Impact Martin ran with relative ease against the Cowboys and logged his best performance of the season by a wide margin. The sophomore has gradually taken over and cemented the bell-cow back role for the Cougars. Over four games played, Martin has 256 yards and four touchdowns, accompanied by two receiving touchdowns.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Returns with solid game Martin compiled 11 rushes for 49 yards and one touchdown and caught all three targets for 46 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 41-19 win over Arizona.

Impact Martin was sidelined for three weeks with an ankle injury, but the sophomore returned to action against Arizona and picked up where he left off. Luckily, the Cougars had enough depth to account for the loss, but Martin should resume a regular role in the backfield, splitting carries with Hinckley Ropati.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Parker Kingston finds LJ Martin on a 33-yard touchdown pass, giving BYU a 14-7 lead over Arizona

OCTOBER 12 • FOX SPORTS

Great week of practice Martin (ankle) has had a great week of practice and should be ready for Saturday's game against Arizona, Sean Walker of KSL.com reports.

Impact Martin hasn't played in an outing since Week 2 against SMU, but he should see his return as BYU takes on the Wildcats. The sophomore running back has 18 attempts for 87 yards and one touchdown across two games this season.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Arizona Martin (ankle) will be available for the Cougars against Arizona on Oct. 12, Jay Drew of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Martin has missed the previous three games after rushing for a combined 87 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries in Week 1 and Week 2. The tailback is now slated to make his return against the Wildcats and should resume his role as one of the top backs in this backfield.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Targeting return vs. Arizona Martin (ankle) is targeting a potential return for the Oct. 12 contest against Arizona, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Martin is out of Saturday's game against Baylor, but the team will aim to use the bye week to get the running back healthy. Martin's return would provide a huge boost to BYU's rushing attack, as he's logged 18 carries for 87 yards and a score in the two games he's played in 2024.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive Saturday Martin (ankle) will not appear in Saturday's game against Kansas State, BYU announcer Greg Wrubell reports.

Impact Martin will miss his second-consecutive game as the result of an ankle injury. The 6-foot-2 sophomore, who went down during BYU's Week 2 matchup with SMU, will have his next chance to return Sept. 28, against Baylor.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed doubtful Saturday Martin (ankle) is considered doubtful ahead of Saturday's game versus Kansas State, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact It was reported that Martin had a "chance" to play earlier this week, but it seems more likely that the sophomore will miss a second straight game. After a strong freshman campaign, the 6-foot-2 Martin's logged 87 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in two contests this year. With both Martin and Hinckley Ropati (undisclosed) listed as doubtful, the Cougars will likely lean on Miles Davis against Kansas State.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

'Chance' to play vs. K-State Martin has a 'chance' to play against Kansas State on Saturday per head coach Kilani Sitake, Jay Drew of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Martin played in the Cougars' first two games but missed Week 3 against Wyoming. He's tallied 18 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown this season, as well as a seven-yard touchdown reception. It doesn't sound all that likely that he'll return in Week 4, but his head coach leaving the door open is a good sign all things considered.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Will not play vs. Wyoming Coach Aaron Roderick indicated Wednesday that Martin (ankle) will not play in Saturday's matchup against Wyoming, Jay Drew of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Impact Martin was forced to exit the game early with an ankle injury and is set to miss this week's contest along with fellow running back Hinckley Ropati. Miles Davis is likely to see an expanded role. The sophomore running back will aim to be ready for next week's home game against Kansas State.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Described as doubtful Martin was described as doubtful by head coach Kalani Sitake for BYU's matchup with Wyoming on Saturday, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Martin ran the ball 13 times in the opener, but his involvement was limited against SMU with just five carries as he left the game with an ankle injury. It appears that ailment will carry over into Week 3, as the tailback looks unlikely to suit up against Wyoming. In his stead, Hinckley Ropati and Miles Davis should spearhead the Cougars backfield.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Described as doubtful Martin was described as doubtful by head coach Kalani Sitake for BYU's matchup with Wyoming on Saturday, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Friday Martin (ankle) won't return in the game versus SMU Friday, Jarom Jordan of BYUsportsnation reports.

Impact With Martin out it'll be backup Hinckley Ropati taking the majority of the snaps. It's unknown how serious Martin's injury is.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Limps off field Martin (ankle) was seen limping off the field mid-game versus SMU, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Martin entered the medical tent shortly after leaving the field. If Martin's injury ends up being signifcant look for Hinckley Ropati and Miles Davis to get more work.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Working as No. 2 back Martin was observed warming up and appears to be working as the No. 2 running back behind Hinckley Folau Ropati, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Martin had been listed atop of the depth chart and was expected to lead the backfield, however, it seems Hinckley Folau Ropati might have overtaken the position. The sophomore running back will have to make the most of his touches if he wants to regain his position as the starter.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to go for opener Martin is at the top of the depth chart for running back and head coach Kalani Sitake says the running back , "will be ready to go" for the season opener against Southern Illinois,...

Impact Martin was already deemed "likely" for Brigham Young's opener by Sitake early this August, and this news now only confirms that. The 6-foot-2 running back is now primed to lead the backfield and top his 518 yards and four touchdowns in the 2023 season.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Misses scrimmage, Week 1 likely Martin (shoulder) did not participate in Brigham Young's scrimmage Saturday, but head coach Kalani Sitake he's still expecting to see Martin for Week 1, Mitch Harper of KSL News Sa...

Impact Martin has been practicing so far during training camp, but he was unable to appear in the team's scrimmage even if it was to keep him fresh for the regular season. Although Sitake stated the 6-foot-2 running back is expected to be healthy for Week 1 against SIU, the coming days should be the real indicators towards the true status of the sophomore.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

BYU running back LJ Martin says he's fine. If he's not, will the Cougars be OK? BYU running back LJ Martin claims he’s fine. If he’s not, will the Cougars be OK?

AUGUST 6 • SLTRIB.COM

Full participant in practice Martin (shoulder) said he was a full participant at practice Friday, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Although conflicting reports stated Martin would possibly miss the beginning of the season for BYU, it appears he's actually been able to practice and looks to be recovering well from his shoulder injury. The 6-foot-2 sophomore's status will continue to be monitored but at this current track, according to his own statement, he is practicing fully.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Could miss time early this season Martin is recovering from a shoulder injury that's limited him in BYU's fall camp and could keep him sidelined at the start of the season, Jay Drew of the Deseret News reports.

Impact Martin is still working to rehab his shoulder, which impacts his availability for BYU's fall camp and threatens to keep him out of the early portions of the Cougars' regular season. Martin reportedly "quite likely will not be available to play in BYU's first three of four games." The tailback was the Cougars' leading rusher last season, putting up 518 yards and four touchdowns on 4.8 yards-per-carry. If he can't go, Hinckley Ropati appears to be next in line for carries in BYU's backfield.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Returns with nine total touches Martin recorded eight rushes for 56 yards during Saturday's 45-13 defeat versus Iowa State.

Impact Martin was able to get in the backfield but did see fewer carries than QB Jake Retzlaff (17) and RB Aidan Robbins (10). On a positive note, he was the most effective with 7.0 yards per carry which could lead to him seeing more work against Oklahoma next week.

NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Parker Kingston finds LJ Martin on a 33-yard touchdown pass, giving BYU a 14-7 lead over Arizona