BYU won their 10th game of the season against Cincinnati on Saturday evening. It’s fair to say, BYU doesn’t win that game, or it’s at least much more stressful, without the efforts of running back LJ Martin.
Over Martin’s three years with the Cougars, he hasn’t been the dominating force of a runner like Tyler Allgeier, Jamaal Williams, or Luke Staley from Cougar lore. However, that conversation might need to change after his performance against the Bearcats.
Marshawn Lynch is one of the most universally respected running backs in NFL history. The Bills and Seahawks legend routinely broke the wills of opposing defenses over the course of games with his physical presence and sheer intent to inflict pain and discomfort. He always looked to “run through a m**********r face.” He looked to punish defenses instead of the other way around.
Martin in Cincinnati had shades of Beast Mode during his peak days as a Seattle Seahawk. He didn’t quite have a “BeastQuake” run. But several runs called to memory No. 24 tossing defenders like it was the much fitter, much older brother at the Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl.
Against the Bearcats, he totted the rock 32 times for 222 yards, both career highs in three seasons. But it’s beyond just stats. He punished Cincinnati’s defense over and over. He forced 12 missed tackles, which the most in a single game of his entire career. Not only that, but it was the most among any running back all over college football in Week 13.
His 53 missed tackles forced ranks first in the Big 12 and fifth in the entire Power Four conference field.
There is a strong argument to be made that Martin is the best running back in the Big 12 right now. First off, he leads the conference with 1,128 rushing yards and with a minimum of 120 rushing attempts, he is the highest graded running back in the Big 12 via Pro Football Focus.
He also leads the Big 12 in yards after contact and rushes for at least 10-plus yards.
This season, he has also added a pass-catching element to his game. He ranks fifth in the Big 12 in receptions and receiving yards among running backs. His 24 catches for 189 yards in the passing game are both career highs.
The team seems to have fed off his efforts this season. With Martin grinding out tough runs, BYU can sustain long drives, chew clock, and keep their defense fresh. Big games like against Cincinnati show how he helps keep drives alive.
BYU ranks ninth in the entire FBS in average time of possession this season. That allows them to control the tempo of the game and grind teams down. Martin is the spearhead for that attack.
Given how many stats in which he leads in the Big 12, along with the impact he is making on a 10-1 BYU team very much in contention for the Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth, he should be considered the best running back in the Big 12 for 2025.
