LJ Martin
BYU#149 overallDraft Movement
Down 24 spots since Jun 8
Scouting Report
LJ Martin is a 6-foot-2, 225-pound downhill running back from BYU who has established himself as one of the more intriguing power-back prospects in the 2027 class. A four-star recruit out of Canutillo High School in El Paso, Texas, Martin arrived in Provo with over 6,100 career high school rushing yards and grew steadily from a limited true freshman role into the unquestioned feature back for the Cougars. In 2025, he posted 238 carries for 1,299 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns at 5.5 yards per carry while adding 36 receptions for 251 yards in the passing game, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year consideration. He ranked among the top tier of Big 12 backs, with his yards-after-contact mark (893, 3.75 per attempt, 84th percentile among FBS qualifiers) standing out as a defining trait. Early in the 2025 season he led the FBS with 8.9 yards per carry, and scouts note a similar combination of speed, size, and power to BYU predecessors Tyler Allgeier and Jamaal Williams, while acknowledging he lacks the breakaway element of the class's top backs. He grades as one of the top backs in the 2027 class with a projected third-round grade. Martin plays behind his pads with excellent vision and patience in zone and gap schemes, pressing the line of scrimmage before redirecting into daylight, and he consistently falls forward and breaks arm tackles to generate chunk after-contact yards. BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has praised his development and work ethic, noting his transformation from a skinny freshman to a physically mature, vocal presence in the backfield. His pass protection is regarded as NFL-ready. The main concern surrounding Martin is top-end speed; while he plays fast and gets to second gear quickly, he does not have the elite closing burst to threaten the defense vertically or consistently turn short gains into explosive plays. Consensus projects him as a Day 3 pick for 2027, most often mocked to the Tennessee Titans, with historical comparisons to
Strengths
- Yards after contact at 84th percentile among FBS qualifiers (893 yards, 3.75 per attempt in 2025)
- elite patience and vision in zone/gap schemes, deliberate pressing maximizes running lanes
- physical finisher who falls forward and breaks arm tackles consistently
- three-down receiving versatility with 36 catches in 2025 and reliable checkdown hands
- NFL-ready pass protection with active willingness to engage blitzers
- durable workhorse back who handled a full carry load without injury issues
- exceptional YAC production, led nation in YAC rate during early 2025 season
- strong football IQ with BYU coach praise for vocal leadership and mentorship
Weaknesses
- Lacks elite top-end speed and closing burst
- pursuit angles catch him on designed home-run plays down the sideline
- initial quickness off the line is average, relies on setup and vision rather than raw explosion
- lateral agility functional but not dynamic enough to consistently create on the perimeter
- high-waisted frame creates occasional balance issues against low-angle tackles
- big-play ceiling is limited
- grinder archetype more than a home-run threat
- competition level at BYU, while Big 12, is a notch below blue-blood SEC/Big Ten opposition
NFL Comparison
Tyler Allgeier (shared BYU lineage, similar power-and-vision downhill style, mid-round value); Jamaal Williams (BYU predecessor physical runner with receiving ability who carved out long NFL career); Brian Robinson Jr.
College Stats
2023 (Freshman): limited role, approximately 700+ rushing yards; 2024 (Sophomore): approximately 1,000+ rushing yards, consistent production; 2025 (Junior): 238 carries, 1,299 rushing yards, 12 rush TDs, 5.5 YPC; 36 receptions, 251 receiving yards; Career (3 seasons): approximately 700+ carries, 3,000+ rushing yards, 30+ rush TDs
College Market Value
Our model prices him at $1.03M on the open college market, built from production, pedigree, role and BYU's program money. No credible deal has been reported for him this season.
The college fantasy model projects 25.5 PPG (RB1), after 18.9 PPG across 13 games last year.
Every P4 player priced, math public: College players & NIL · Roster spend
Measurables
Awards & Honors
4-star recruit; top-40 RB nationally in the 2023 class; Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year candidate (2025); multiple All-Big 12 honors; led nation in YAC rate early 2025 season; blue-chip recruit grade (93rd percentile); grades as a top-10 RB in the 2027 class