LJ Martin passed on Stanford education to run for BYU — and has never looked back

PROVO — In the moments following BYU's last trip to Stanford, a 35-26 win that became the final game under former legendary Cardinal coach David Shaw in 2022, LJ Martin had a decision to make.

The former three-star prospect and top-40 running back in the country by 247Sports out of El Paso, Texas, had previously committed to Stanford and his parents — his mother, Genevieve, in particular — were set on him receiving a Stanford education (but who wouldn't be?).

But due to the coaching change and other factors, the 6-foot-2 tailback felt he needed to keep his options open. Knowing that, he planned a visit to BYU's campus in December, and truthfully expected running backs coach Harvey Unga to pull out all the stops in getting him to flip to the university sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The strange thing was, he didn't.

"We never really talked about committing or if I should come," Martin recalled. "He just said, the offer's there and you can commit when you're ready."

Martin added that Unga would wait until "the very last day" of the traditional signing period for his decision. It didn't take nearly that long, though.

The Cougars — led by the recruiting efforts of Unga, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick and the rest of the offensive staff — made it clear that they valued Martin, both as a person and a football player.

Those efforts paid off when Martin flipped his commitment, signed with BYU during the early signing period, and kept the pledge under wraps until he could announce it during February's traditional signing period at a ceremony with his Canutillo High friends and supporters.

"I had to convince my mom a little bit," Martin said, "about why I shouldn't get a Stanford education. But it's worked out pretty good so far."

Less than three years later and a few days after erupting for a career-high 131 yards (on just eight carries) in a 69-0 blowout win over FCS Portland State, Martin's journey will come full circle when the Cougars host Stanford — now part of the ACC — on Saturday night (8:15 p.m. MDT, ESPN+).

Now a junior, his career has never looked better.

The Doak Walker Award preseason watchlist honoree has opened his encore season after last year's 718-yard, seven-touchdown campaign that ended with an 11-2 record and Alamo Bowl offensive MVP honors following a 36-14 win over Colorado in San Antonio.

But just as important as how Martin has fit in on BYU's football field is how he's fit into the culture of the team, the university and the community. He's not a member of the predominant religion in the school or state, but his Christian values have aligned well with the campus where more than 90% of the student body professes one faith.

"When we had the opportunity to keep recruiting him, he aligned with what we wanted for a player both on the field and off the field," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. "We know he's a really spiritual person, that he's a disciple and follower of Christ, and that was an easy way for us to talk to him."

Since then, the connection with the school has only grown.

Martin started five games as a true freshman in 2023, took the reins of the offense in eight of his 10 games played a year ago, and has become the Cougars' bell cow running back to open a 2025 campaign where Roderick has openly opined the team plans to run the ball — a lot.

After leading the Cougars in rushing the last two seasons, he's also an offensive captain, one with a soft voice that elevates with each week.

"It's been awesome to watch LJ grow, even physically; he looks a lot bigger and a lot faster out there," teammate Bruce Mitchell said. "But as a leader, there's a reason he's a captain for this team. We voted for him, and we want him as a leader.

"He might be a little more reserved, even still," the first-year starter at center added. "But he has a voice on this team. We look to him as a leader and a calm voice in the huddle, when things might be a little crazy, which is always nice to have."

Passing on a scholarship to Stanford is difficult. But BYU fits Martin's demeanor, lifestyle and academic careers for the business major, Sitake noted. It's also a fit for him off the field, including the school's unique social life.

"And combine that with the football part — we like to hand the ball off to big backs who can rumble — it works everything out," he added. "We're just happy he's here with us."

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