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Brigham Young running back LJ Martin celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Lamar Jackson
In just his first month in college, Martin accounted for four touchdowns and nearly 300 yards, becoming one of the Cougars’ best players. As he made the drive, he passed by El Paso Community College across the street. And every day, with the sun barely coming over the West Texas topography, he saw a young freshman running back — no more than 160 pounds soaking wet — sprinting up the long hill in the back.“LJ is one of those kids that just out works most people,” said Brooks, Martin’s high school football coach.
After the third week — when he ran for six touchdowns in a single game — Brooks had to call his parents asking them if they could bring him up to varsity. He rushed for 2,735 yards and 29 touchdowns. Brooks pulled him by halftime because El Paso was ahead by so much. For a time, Martin committed to Tech. But Stanford offered and he flipped his commitment to the Cardinal.
BYU running back LJ Martin tries to get past Arkansas defensive back Jaylon Braxton during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. He saw Tyler Allgeier play, another quiet kid who had a similar playing style to him. Allgeier gave him a call and they talked about the university.
They’d had to drag him out to Top Golf because he preferred to stay in. They only saw his true emotion come out when the three of them would play Madden together.
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