LJ Martin Moved Up BYU All-Time Rushing List
The running back climbed to sixth on the program's career rushing leaderboard following a strong start to the season.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Should college teams prioritize individual player records over broader team success?
BYU running back LJ Martin has climbed to sixth place on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,869 career rushing yards. He achieved this milestone after surpassing the career totals of Taysom Hill and Lakei Heimuli during the game against Colorado State.
Why it matters
Martin's rapid ascent highlights his critical role in the BYU offense despite being limited to just one half of play in two of the season's first three games. He currently needs 131 additional yards to reach the 3,000-yard career threshold.
Martin has recorded 328 rushing yards across three games in the 2026 season. He now requires an average of 115 yards per game to potentially become the program's all-time leading rusher.
The players
LJ Martin
He is a running back for the BYU football team who is currently climbing the university's career rushing records.
Taysom Hill
He is a former BYU standout and current professional football player whose career rushing yardage was recently surpassed by Martin.
Lakei Heimuli
He is a former BYU athlete and member of the school's all-time rushing leaderboard whose career total was eclipsed by Martin.
The details
After entering the 2026 season with 2,541 rushing yards, Martin has successfully pushed his career total to 2,869. The performance follows a 2025 season where Martin was hampered by a shoulder injury sustained against Iowa State.
Timeline
2025: Martin sustained a shoulder injury during the Iowa State game.
2026 season: Martin has accumulated 328 rushing yards over three games.
Season Trajectory
Martin's surge into the top six of the all-time list positions him to overtake Tyler Allgeier and Jamal Willis within the next two games. This upward momentum signals a significant shift in the competitive hierarchy of the current BYU rushing attack.
Martin is currently on track to reach 3,000 career rushing yards within the next 131 yards of production. Fantasy managers and fans should monitor his playing time closely, as he remains highly productive despite being limited to one half of football in recent games.
The takeaway
Martin's ability to climb the leaderboard while playing limited snaps underscores his efficiency as a primary ball carrier. His continued progress remains the central narrative to watch as he pursues the program's all-time rushing record.
Further reading
For more on the current standing of the team, read the latest news in Provo Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
Live Poll
Should college teams prioritize individual player records over broader team success?
