BYU running back LJ Martin continues to stack up preseason recognition, and the latest nod puts him among the nation’s most closely watched draft prospects.
Pro Football Network named Martin a Top 100 NFL Draft Prospect, ranking the 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior from El Paso, Texas, as the third-highest running back on the list and No. 53 overall.
Martin’s 2025 season gave the honor plenty of weight. He rushed for 1,305 yards, which ranked No. 11 nationally, while also checking in at No. 12 in average yards per game at 100.38 and No. 13 in all-purpose yards per game at 120.0. His 1,305 rushing yards were the seventh-most in a single season in school history.
The accolades kept coming after the season ended. Martin was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 running back. He also earned Pro Football Network second-team All-America honors, was a semifinalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, and picked up All-Big 12 recognition from Pro Football Network, Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions.
The preseason praise has followed him into 2026 as well. Martin was selected as the 2026 Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and has been named preseason All-America by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. He is also a candidate for the Maxwell Award and has been tabbed preseason All-Big 12 by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, Pro Football Network and Sports Info Solutions.
Martin wasn’t the only Cougar getting draft buzz from PFN. Seven other BYU players landed in the top 25 at their positions, including center Bruce Mitchell at No. 5, linebacker Cade Uluave at No. 10, offensive lineman Sonny Makasini at No. 14, cornerback Evan Johnson at No. 16, defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa at No. 21, safety Faletau Satuala at No. 21 and linebacker Isaiah Glasker.
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