LJ Martin RB BYU |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Ankle injury against TCU has cost him at least two games
• Receiving work is mostly short, at about seven yards a catch
• Fumbled three times in 2024, a ball-security issue to watch
• Heavy 2025 workload adds wear for a fourth-year back

Scouting Report: Summary

Martin is a big, fast running back who carried BYU's offense in 2025. He ran for 1,299 yards and 12 touchdowns on 238 carries, forced 56 missed tackles and caught 36 passes, and he was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He has rare speed for a back with his size, runs through arm tackles and has led BYU in rushing in each of his three seasons, and he is an offensive captain.

He started 2026 even stronger. He ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns at Colorado State, including a 56-yard run on BYU's second play, and he is averaging 7.8 yards a carry in four games. Kalani Sitake has called him one of the best running backs in the country, and his decision to turn down the NFL and return for his final season showed his commitment to the program, which rose to 6-0 and beat then-No. 2 Notre Dame without him.

However, his injury is the main concern. He hurt his ankle early in the win over TCU, missed the Iowa State and Notre Dame games and was still out as of 22 October, and teams will want to know whether he returns at full speed. His receiving work is mostly short, at about seven yards a catch in 2025, and he fumbled three times in 2024. His heavy workload in 2025 also adds wear for a back in his fourth season.

Overall, Martin is a productive, athletic back with a rare blend of size and speed and the three-down experience that NFL teams value. He projects as a fourth-round running back with the ceiling of a lead back in a zone scheme and the floor of a reliable rotational runner. His return from the ankle injury and how he finishes the season will be important for his draft position.