BYU begins fall camp in just a few short weeks, and football season will be here before we know it.

The Cougars have had a turbulent offseason, mostly centered around the quarterback situation. However, let’s take a break from that and focus on other valuable parts of Kalani Sitake’s football team.

Here are three other storylines to follow as BYU heads into fall camp very soon.

Is there a next step for RB LJ Martin?

Is the breakout season for LJ Martin finally here? After rushing for just over 500 yards as a true freshman in 2023, he reached 718 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games last year. Still, it felt like he could have had a much better season if he hadn’t missed basically three full games. Health has been a big reason why Martin hasn’t yet hit that next gear.

Now fully healthy and a year wiser, 2025 might be the Year of LJ. BYU hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Tyler Allgeier’s record-breaking 2021 campaign. This could finally be the season a Cougar back reaches that benchmark again.

Yes, there is some turnover ahead of him on the offensive line (more on that in a moment). But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The Cougars ranked ninth in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game last year. There is plenty of room for improvement.

Martin ended BYU’s stellar 2024 campaign on a high note, rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns against Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

Martin came out of high school in Texas as an all-state running back who turned down other Big 12 programs to come to BYU. Given the uncertainty surrounding Martin on offense, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick could lean heavily on Martin and the running game. That means more carries and more yards for number 27. This is his big opportunity.

Can the offensive line survive or even thrive after all the turnover?

Last season, the Cougars enjoyed a solid offensive line led by veterans like Connor Pay, Brayden Keim, and Caleb Etienne. This season, they will replace all three starters. Even with the turnover, there is a path for the Cougars to replicate last year’s success or even build on it.

First, the biggest change is the arrival of former highly touted recruit Andrew Gentry, who transferred from Michigan. Out of high school, Gentry was a four-star, top-150 prospect. He will likely take over at right tackle for the departed Keim. With coaching from TJ Woods and possibly two seasons in Provo, Gentry has a chance to become a rock-solid part of this offensive line.

Bruce Mitchell will likely take over full-time for Pay at center, where he played when Pay went down with a midseason injury. He performed admirably when pressed into duty unexpectedly.

Left guard Weylin Lapuaho is the lone lineman who started all last year and is returning. Kyle Sfarcioc transferred in from Southern Utah and has a shot to win the other guard spot from incumbent Austin Leausa.

At left tackle, a transfer from a Big 12 school (Colorado) will take over for the departed Etienne, who transferred from Oklahoma State. Isaiah Jatta logged 144 snaps at right tackle last season with positive results. He now swings over to the left side and is the projected starter. He has the body type and athleticism to be the next great left tackle at BYU.

Who steps up in the defensive secondary?

Aside from the offensive line and quarterback, no BYU group has seen more turnover than the defensive backs. Cornerback Jakob Robinson signed an undrafted free agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers after four stellar years at BYU.

Marque Collins also left to pursue a professional career but has yet to find an NFL home.

Basically, BYU is replacing their top two cornerbacks from last year. However, Evan Johnson returns after getting some spot starts last year. In some respects, Johnson was BYU’s highest-graded cornerback. He logged two interceptions, and his 78.1 coverage grade per Pro Football Focus was the best of any BYU defensive back.

Johnson may now be the top corner.

Mory Bamba got an NCAA waiver to return to BYU and should start opposite Johnson.

Georgia native Therrian Alexander III has track-star speed and should be featured in some way in Jay Hill’s secondary.

At safety, Tanner Wall is the staple. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season. He will lock down center field as BYU’s main free safety once again. Crew Wakely transferred out, leaving a hole at strong safety. Raider Damuni should step right into that role after recording 276 defensive snaps last season.

Faletau Satuala and Tommy Prassas round out the depth at safety.

In all likelihood, Jay Hill’s defense will be solid once again. It’s just a matter of new starters like Bamba or Damuni, or incumbent Johnson at corner, taking the next step into stardom.