Ropati, Martin lead BYU stable of running backs

PROVO, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – BYU is going to rely on a two-headed monster to carry the load at running back this season.

Two California kids, LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati are headed into the season as the 1-2 punch in the backfield.

“LJ and Hinckley are looking really good,” head coach Kalani Sitake said. “Miles [Davis] is there as well. So we feel good about that group, and I think Harvey [Unga] has done a great job coaching them.”

As a true freshman, Martin had no idea what kind of impact he’d have last season. But after a flurry of injuries, Martin ended up leading the Cougars in rushing with 518 yards and four touchdowns.

“Yeah, I was just coming out here just having a good time. You know, I just I was just really just coming out here, just trying to see what doing ball was about, you know, and just really excited just to be able to make the travel squad. And then once I got my name called, I was like, this time to go

After starting slow in fall camp recovering from a shoulder injury in spring, Martin has increased his work load. With a full year under his belt, Martin can’t wait to unleash the skills he’s worked on, from increasing his speed and quickness, to his catching passes out of the backfield.

“I’ve been working on it all,” Martin said. “It’s just, you just got to wait until game one to be able to see how things are going to go.”

Another guy who’s going to see a lot of carries this year is Ropati, who is itching to get back on the field after missing all of last year with a knee injury.

“You have no idea,” Ropati said. “I love this game, and I missed it.”

At 5-foot-9, 220 pounds, Ropati runs like a runaway bowling ball, and is ready to finally have a breakout season in his senior year.

“For sure, but honestly you usually think of a bowling ball as guys who are bigger and things like that, so I take it as a compliment,” Ropati said.

Ropati proves you don’t have to be six feet tall to be an effective running back.

“No you do not,” he said. “All it takes is in my opinion is to have grit. I think that’s the most important thing you got to have.”

Ropati only has 35 career carries and four receptions during his first two seasons at BYU, but this year he’s playing for more than just himself.

“My wife is pregnant,” Ropati said. “We’re about four weeks away from having our first kid, so that’s been the the biggest thing that I’ve been looking forward to besides the first game. So somewhere between week three to four, she’s due. So we’re we’re super looking forward to that, and hopefully not on a Saturday. Sunday would be great, the day after the game.”

Even though they are two years apart in age, Ropati and Martin are learning from and pushing each other everyday in practice.

“He’s taught me a lot,” Martin said about Ropati. “He’s like my big brother. He’s just taught me everything, from recovery, to in the film room or out here on the field. He taught me pretty much everything I know.”

“He may be young in age, but it’s not that,” Ropati said about Martin. “The kid is very mature, and I love the way he plays the game. One thing I see that LJ does really well, he just stays very even keeled. That’s something that’s really important.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.