‘I’m pretty close’: How LJ Martin is recovering from surgery — and making an impact during spring camp

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Standing around isn’t LJ Martin’s style but with his shoulder on the mend, the Big 12’s top returning running back will spend BYU’s spring workouts doing just that — on the sideline.

“I’m feeling great. It’s coming along nicely,” said Martin about his surgically repaired shoulder. As to when he might be back at full strength, “I’m pretty close.”

“I like the way LJ’s leading. I mean, he’s so impressive with his leadership skills, just how he’s been getting better every year. I’m glad he came back because I think the team really needs him and I think it’s an opportunity for him to become an even stronger leader than he was before.”

BYU coach Kalani Sitake

“Close” isn’t close enough for the Cougars to roll out their senior weapon this spring. They need him healthy and running at full speed in the fall. For Martin, getting close to winning the Big 12 championship wasn’t close enough either. He held off pursuing the NFL to take another shot at it.

“It will be a lot of hanging around, trying to get the younger guys right,” Martin said of his spring duties after watching Friday’s initial workout. “We have Devaughn (Eka) in now, Micah (Beckstead) — guys who are learning the offense. I’m just trying to teach them and make sure they are up to speed.”

Down but not out

When Martin collided with Iowa State’s Tre Bell late in the first quarter on Oct. 25, he knew he was in trouble, he just wasn’t sure how much. Martin left the game favoring his shoulder and didn’t return.

Further evaluation revealed the need for eventual surgery, but doctors said it could wait until after the season. That’s all the true grit Texan needed to hear.

“It wasn’t terrible,” Martin said of the pain. “It didn’t hurt enough for me to sit out. I just wanted to be out there with my guys.”

Martin gutted out five more games with his guys. Sore shoulder and all, he rushed 104 times for 516 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes for 164 yards.

Against Cincinnati, a critical road game for BYU to qualify for the Big 12 championship, Martin turned in his best performance of the season — 32 rushes for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

LJ the leader

The Big 12’s postseason reward for Martin was to name him the conference Offensive Player of the Year. In addition, Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake increased Martin’s leadership role on the team.

“I like the way LJ’s leading,” Sitake said. “I mean, he’s so impressive with his leadership skills, just how he’s been getting better every year. I’m glad he came back because I think the team really needs him and I think it’s an opportunity for him to become an even stronger leader than he was before.”

Martin credits his mentors, including former Cougars Tyler Batty and Hinckley Ropati, for helping to shape his on and off the field persona.

“I developed it,” he said. “Just taking the stuff they do and applying it to myself and trying to be the best leader I can be.”

A better Bear

Martin is eager to watch quarterback Bear Bachmeier participate in his first spring workouts at BYU. The Big 12’s Freshman Offensive Player of the Year joined the team last summer, won the job and proceeded to go 12-2.

“I expect him to get better in all types of ways,” Martin said. “Last year, it was really rapid. He kind of got thrown into the fire, but I feel like this time, with time to develop and learn, I think he will have a really good year.”

Martin carried the load in Bachmeier’s season opener (Portland State), his first power conference opponent (Stanford) and his first road game (East Carolina) with 342 combined rushing yards. Martin was also a stabilizing force in Bachmeier’s first rivalry game with 122 rushing yards against Utah.

The freshman quarterback returned the favor, including a 325-yard passing performance and a come-from-behind win against Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl when Martin, post-surgery, was unable to play.

They are good for each other and when both are healthy, they tag-team an offense that makes BYU tough to beat. That’s why the youngster (Bachmeier) is on the field this spring and the veteran (Martin) will remain on the sideline.

What really matters to Sitake is that they are both good to go on Sept. 5.

“He (Martin) looks awesome,” Sitake said. “His (recovery) is right on target.”

Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.

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