Canutillo star L.J. Martin changes commitment from Texas Tech to Stanford

Canutillo senior running back L.J. Martin changed his commitment to Stanford University on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound three-star recruit announced the decision in a post on his personal Twitter.

In April, Martin announced his verbal commitment to Texas Tech after a successful junior season for the Eagles. He was the second El Paso high schooler to commit to the Red Raiders that week, joining Parkland's Demarion Crest. Verbal commitments are non-binding and the earliest seniors players can sign is in December.

Last season, Martin recorded 2,737 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in addition to 376 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions. Martin's season was enough to earn him first team All-State honors in Class 5A by the Texas Sportswriters Association.

The Eagles finished the year with an 11-2 record. In the postseason, Canutillo secured secured two Class 5A District II playoff victories.

While Martin still has a final year of high school to develop as a player, Canutillo head coach Scott Brooks said he is confident in the rising senior's ability to transfer his success to the Pac-12, where Stanford competes.

"He's got the ability to play," Brooks said of Martin. "But LJ works as hard as anybody I've ever seen. He's a dependable kid. He's never going to give you any problem. I actually think he fits what (the Cardinal) do."

Martin received offers from more than a dozen programs around the country. To him, Stanford's academic rigor and breadth of opportunities made it a top choice. Martin said his family takes academics "very seriously." He has expressed interest in pursuing a degree in aeronautics and astronautics at the university.

"A lot of it was about what Stanford could set me up for after college," Martin said of his decision.

"LJ's one of those kids that gets straight A's and sees the big picture and the value of a degree from Stanford," Brooks added.

Head coach David Shaw has led the Cardinal for the past 11 seasons. The program stresses its commitment to preparing athletes for success beyond the university, emphasizing that Stanford is "not a four-year decision, but a lifetime decision."

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Canutillo running back L.J. Martin commits to Stanford University