Get ready for a thrilling bowl game with a twist! BYU's star running back, LJ Martin, will be missing from the Pop-Tarts Bowl, leaving a big hole in the Cougars' offense.
In a recent statement, head coach Kalani Sitake confirmed that Martin, a junior tailback, will sit out due to surgery. This news has sent shockwaves through the BYU camp, as Martin was a key player in their offensive success over the past two seasons.
The Cougars have released their depth chart for the bowl game, and it's an intriguing mix of experience and youth. Enoch Nawahine, Jovesa Damuni, and Preston Rex are listed as co-starters at running back. Damuni leads the trio with 63 rushing yards in 2025, while Nawahine, a senior, has 51 yards under his belt. Rex, a former safety, switched positions and contributed 33 yards in 11 games.
"We're putting our trust in these young players," Sitake emphasized. "While LJ's absence is significant, our team has incredible depth, and we're confident in our ability to adapt."
Martin's impact on the Cougars' offense cannot be overstated. He was the leading rusher in both 2023 and 2024, and his presence was instrumental in their success. In 13 games as a junior, he amassed an impressive 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, bringing his three-year total to a staggering 2,541 yards and 23 touchdowns.
But here's where it gets controversial... Sitake noted that Martin's surgery decision doesn't necessarily indicate his future plans. The junior is still weighing his options, considering whether to return to BYU for his final year or take the leap into the NFL draft.
Martin's senior-day exercises during the regular-season finale against UCF added to the speculation, but he has maintained that his decision will come after the bowl game.
Sitake explained the timing, stating that the bowl game and pre-draft activities left a narrow window for Martin to undergo surgery and still have options for his senior season or a potential NFL career.
"LJ has been a vital part of our team and will continue to be so, even from the sidelines," Sitake added. "He's recovering at home but will be back to support his teammates on Saturday."
So, will BYU's running game suffer without Martin? Or will the young talent step up and surprise us all?
BYU faces No. 22 Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday (1:30 p.m. MST, ABC).
And this is the part most people miss... The decision to sit out a star player for a bowl game is a delicate balance. It's a strategic move that could impact not only the immediate game but also the player's future.
What do you think? Should Martin have played through the injury, or was this the right call? Let us know in the comments!
