NEW YORK — BYU running back LJ Martin was today named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America Second Team.
Martin, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior from El Paso, Texas, rushed for 1,305 yards to rank No. 11 nationally in 2025. He was also No. 12 nationally in average yards per game (100.38) and No. 13 in all-purpose yards per game (120.0). Martin’s 1,305 yards rushing were the seventh-most in school history for a single season.
At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Martin was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 running back. He also received Pro Football Network second-team All-America honors and was a semifinalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. In addition, he was named All-Big 12 by the Pro Football Network, Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions.
Martin was recently selected as the 2026 Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and was previously named preseason All-America by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. He is also a candidate for the Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Player of Year Award. In addition, Martin was selected preseason All-Big 12 by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, Pro Football Network and Sports Info Solutions.
BYU kicks off the 2026 football season against Utah Tech on Saturday, Sept. 5 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with the kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT