BYU RB LJ Martin out of Pop-Tarts Bowl due to surgery

BYU will be missing the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year when the Cougars take on Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday in Orlando, coach Kalani Sitake revealed on Tuesday.

Running back LJ Martin has undergone a recent surgery and won't be available.

The junior running back, mulling a return to BYU or a declaration for the 2026 NFL Draft following a 1,305-yard rushing season, would be equally well served by the earlier surgery date in either case, per Sitake.

"I think everybody kind of knows that there was a small window for him to get this surgery done," Sitake said. "His decision is going to be whether he comes back and plays his senior year, or whether he goes to the NFL. So, with that in mind, there's a small window where he could have the surgery done now, or if he had to wait, then it would prolong it too long, where it wouldn't be beneficial for him either way."

Martin averaged 5.5 yards per carry and totaled 12 touchdowns on the ground over 13 games in 2025, his most prolific as a Cougar. He added 36 receptions for 255 yards for the 11-2 Cougars.

Sitake didn't reveal the nature of the surgery, but Martin was previously limited after suffering an apparent shoulder injury against Iowa State on Oct. 25. Martin had just five carries before exiting, then managed just 10 carries in the following week vs. Texas Tech, his two least productive games of the season.

No. 12 BYU is expected to lean on a mix of players to replace Martin against the No. 22 Yellow Jackets (9-3).

"We're going to the rely on depth of the running back room, but for the most part, we should have a lot of guys," Sitake said.

--Field Level Media