LJ Martin Holds the Reins, But BYU Backfield Takes a Sudden Blow
As fall camp rolls on in Provo, one thing remains certain for the BYU Cougars: LJ Martin is still the man to beat in the backfield. The talented sophomore continues to solidify his role as the lead running back heading into the 2025 season. But behind Martin, the once-promising depth at the position may be on shakier ground than Cougar fans anticipated.
Sources close to the program revealed that a key member of BYUโs running back room is dealing with an injury that could sideline him for an extended period. While the staff has yet to publicly confirm the severity, early indications suggest that this is more than just a minor setback. For a team transitioning into its second full season in the Big 12, every player countsโand losing depth in a physically demanding conference could have major ripple effects.
Martin, who led the team in rushing last season with over 900 yards and seven touchdowns, has impressed coaches yet again during early camp practices. His mix of speed, vision, and toughness makes him a reliable weapon for offensive coordinator Aaron Roderickโs system. But behind him, there were high hopes for a more committee-style approachโespecially with names like Aidan Robbins and Deion Smith expected to provide meaningful contributions.
However, Robbins has reportedly been nursing a lingering lower-body issue, and Smith has been absent from recent practices due to undisclosed reasons. If both remain unavailable or limited, the Cougars could be forced to accelerate the development of younger backs or shift offensive strategy altogether.
True freshman Haka Vincent has turned some heads in early drills, but throwing a freshman into Big 12 action without adequate preparation could prove risky. Similarly, walk-ons and position-switch candidates are now being looked at with more urgency, as the staff tries to stabilize the rotation behind Martin.
Head coach Kalani Sitake addressed the media briefly, without diving into specifics. โLJโs looked fantastic, no question,โ Sitake said. โBut weโre always evaluating our depth and making sure weโre ready for every scenario. Footballโs unpredictable, and weโve got to be prepared.โ
With the season opener against Houston just weeks away, the clock is ticking for the BYU staff to determine who will spell Martin when he needs a breatherโand more importantly, who can step up if he goes down.
For now, Martin carries the weight of the Cougar run game on his shoulders. And while heโs proven more than capable, the pressure has undeniably intensified. In a Big 12 landscape filled with hard-hitting defenses and grueling schedules, one standout isnโt enough. BYU needs depth. And right now, that depth is in question.
Stay tuned. Cougar Nation may soon find out just how deep the well truly goes.
