The Big 12 Conference announced July 6 that BYU running back LJ Martin has been named the preseason offensive player of the year, according to a post from the conference's official social media account.
Utah Honors Announced
In addition to Martin's individual award, the Utah football program confirmed July 6 that Mana Carvalho earned preseason All-Big 12 honors. The announcement was shared via the team's official social media presence.
Roster Transitions
The preseason accolades come as players prepare for the 2026 season. While Carvalho represents the Utes, BYU's roster features significant talent transfer history, including defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa.
Player Background
Tanuvasa, a redshirt senior at BYU, previously played for the Utah defensive line. During his time with the Utes, he appeared in 24 games and recorded 19 starts. His previous accolades include being named a 2024 All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention.
Defensive Statistics
Tanuvasa's defensive statistics at Utah included 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and one sack across seven games in 2024. He also recorded four pass breakups and two quarterback hurries during that season.
