LJ Martin set to pick up where he left off in 2024 – Deseret News
Kalani Sitake waited a dozen games to get a glimpse of the real LJ Martin and during the 13th and final against Colorado n ° 23, he watched him fly the show. Martin rushed to 93 yards and two affected and caught two passes for 31 yards in a dominant victory of 36-14.
The difference between the Bowl Alamo and the other 12 games can be summed up in a word – health.
“It was the first game where I felt healthy all the season,” said Martin after the first practice of the fall camp on Wednesday. Answering a question of follow -up to know if it was the “real LJ” in San Antonio, because the former star of the preparation of Texas smiled and said: “I would like to say. That’s when I felt best. “
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“This offseason, I felt really good, and I feel good this year. I want to take the best shape as possible and be the best version of me. That’s all I can really ask. ”
– Byu Running Back LJ Martin
Martin was injured in the shoulder during spring exercises in 2024 and required surgery. He had a cautious autumn camp and run on 67 yards and a touchdown during the opening of the season against the south of Illinois. The following week in SMU, Martin suffered a high ankle sprain which rekindled him for the rest of the regular season.
It was only the month between the Big 12 final against Houston and the Bowl match, that the second year student of 6 feet 2 inches and 225 pounds had healthy legs under him and that the Buffaloes could not follow.
Martin took control of the game in his first nine keys:
- First: 5 yards race
- Second: run 6 yards
- Third: Run of 10 yards (denied by the penalty)
- Fourth: 7 yards
- Fifth: reception of 28 yards
- Sixth: 1 -rod touching race
- Seventh: run 6 yards
- Eighth: 9 yards race
- Ninth: 11 yields of 11 yards
In good health, Martin stayed on the attack throughout his last three races, which produced a 23 yards, a 9 yards touchdown and a 5 yards. After a good summer without spring and surgery, the junior seems ready to run like a senior this fall.
“This offseason, I felt really good, and I feel good this year,” said Martin. “I want to take the best shape as possible and be the best version of me. That’s all I can really ask. ”
So far, in his young career, Colorado has been Martin’s “best version”. His efforts also compensated for a difficult day for the quarter-Arrière Jake Retzlaff who only completed 12 completion for 151 yards with two interceptions.
Even when bumps, sprains and bruises have slowed it down, Martin has always finished with 723 yards on the ground, 98 reception yards and nine affected. The concept of a healthy Martin becomes the first runner of 1,000 yarn of Byu since Tyler Allgeier (2021) is not only at hand, but that would be done at a perfect time while the cougars break in a new quarter.
“I always want to do a little more,” said Martin. “The four (quarters) are balls. It doesn’t matter who is back, it’s no different for me. I saw them all throwing during the spring, and I saw Bear launch for the first time (Wednesday) – he looked good. Anyone who is there, I think we will be fine. ”
Very good – as long as Martin continues to run behind a large offensive line with a full steam head and a healthy body – just as he did against Colorado.
Dave McCann is a sports editor and columnist for the Deseret News and is a Play-By-Play advertiser and show host for Byutv / ESPN +. He co-anima “y’s guys” on Ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for cougar”, available on deseretbook.com.
