Picture this: A top-tier college football team, ranked No. 12, is all set for a thrilling postseason showdown, but their standout running back is sidelined by an unexpected surgery. It's a heart-stopping twist that could reshape the game—and BYU's season finale is feeling the impact right now. But here's where it gets controversial: Is opting for surgery before a big decision like this a smart gamble or a risky move that might haunt a player's future? Let's dive into the details and unpack why this absence matters more than you might think.
Orlando, Florida, is buzzing as No. 12 BYU prepares for the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday (check out the full details at https://ksl.com/article/51420697). Unfortunately, the Cougars won't have one of their biggest stars on the field: junior running back LJ Martin, who will miss the game due to surgery. Head coach Kalani Sitake shared this update ahead of Tuesday's practice session in Orlando, emphasizing that Martin's procedure isn't tied to any serious long-term concerns.
To fill the gap, BYU has released their bowl-week depth chart, which is basically a lineup showing the backup players ready to step in. It lists Enoch Nawahine, Jovesa Damuni, and Preston Rex as co-starters at running back. For those new to football lingo, a running back is the player who carries the ball through the defense to gain yards and score touchdowns—think of them as the engine driving the offense. Among these three, Damuni leads with 63 rushing yards in 2024, showcasing his ability to make impactful plays. Nawahine, a seasoned fifth-year senior, has added 51 yards on 15 carries across nine games, demonstrating reliability. Meanwhile, Rex, the younger sibling of former BYU tight end Isaac Rex, switched positions from safety (a defensive role) and contributed 33 yards on 13 carries in 11 games.
'We're going to have to lean on some of the young guys,' Sitake said. 'Obviously, we have great depth on the team with LJ not being able to play this game.' And this is the part most people miss: Despite the talent in the backups, Martin's presence was a game-changer for BYU. As the team's top rusher in 2023 and 2024, he was the Big 12 offensive player of the year, honored by both league coaches and an Associated Press panel (more on that at https://www.ksl.com/article/51419677/ap-all-big-12-texas-techs-rodriguez-byus-martin-earn-leagues-top-player-honors). His junior season was explosive, with 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games, bumping his career total to an impressive 2,541 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Sitake clarified that the surgery choice doesn't signal anything dire about Martin's career path. The junior is still weighing his options: Should he come back to BYU for his senior year, or take the leap into the NFL draft this April? Martin participated in senior-day ceremonies after the regular-season finale against UCF, but he's repeatedly stated that his decision would wait until post-bowl. Sitake pointed out the tight schedule—bowl games, pre-draft workouts, and spring football—leaves just a 'small window' for recovery from surgery before either another college season or NFL rookie training camp.
'He's been with us the entire time in the practices,' Sitake added. 'He's recovering at home right now, but he'll be back to watch these guys and cheer on his brothers on Saturday.' The coach believes the team will draw on their running back depth. 'We're going to have to rely on some depth in the running back room. But for the most part, we should have a lot of guys.'
BYU faces No. 22 Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at 1:30 p.m. MST, broadcast on ABC. For beginners, bowl games are postseason matchups like mini-championships, where teams earn spots based on their regular-season performance, offering a chance to shine before the big leagues.
But let's stir the pot a bit: Some fans might argue that rushing surgery so close to a potential draft could boost Martin's NFL stock by showing he's proactive about health, while others worry it might raise red flags for scouts. And what about the team? Could this be the perfect test for BYU's backups to prove their worth, or will it expose vulnerabilities? We all know controversies like this fuel debates—do you think Martin made the right call by prioritizing surgery now, or should he have pushed through and decided later? Share your thoughts in the comments: Agree, disagree, or have a counterpoint? Let's discuss!
