Two Big 12 Running Backs Break Surprising News

Hansen finished the 2025 college football season with 952 rushing yards and six touchdowns, along with 134 receiving yards, topping his 2024 numbers when he rushed for 752 yards and had 88 receiving yards. Hansen has one year of eligibility remaining.

Hansen is the latest of several notable players, including quarterback Rocco Becht, who has hit the transfer portal after the departure of head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State.

BYU’s LJ Martin News

The other Big 12 running backs news came from LJ Martin, as the BYU running back has opted out of playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl next week against Georgia Tech. Martin had surgery on his shoulder that he injured at Iowa State in October. The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,305 yards in 13 games played this season. Martin’s best game of the season came against Cincinnati when he rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns, while catching three passes for 44 yards.

When announcing the news, head coach Kalani Sitake said, “We’re going to have to lean on some of the young guys. We have some great depth on the team… I think everybody knows there was a small window for him [LJ Martin] to get this surgery done.”

Martin’s next big decision will be whether he returns to BYU for his senior season or declares for the 2026 NFL Draft.

BYU plays Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday, December 27th, with kick off set for 2:30 p.m. CT.