Ed Orgeron confirms two key playmakers return this week for LSU

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron confirmed that two playmakers will be back for the Tigers for the Auburn game this Saturday. The LSU head coach confirmed that wide receiver Jontre Kirklin and defensive end Soni Fonua have regained their academic eligibility in the SEC head coaches’ teleconference.

“Yeah, Jontre Kirklin and Soni Fonua were both eligible this week to play. Which we’re very happy, complimentary of both of those young men. They’ve practiced hard the last four weeks and they’re eligible and ready to play. And I’m excited about that.”

Kirklin started his career on defense and has played in 48 games. Now he plays on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver. He started twice last season at caught 13 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns last season, both of which were career-highs.

Fonua transferred to LSU from Mesa Community College before the 2019 season. He’s played in 11 games over the last two years. He chose LSU over offers from Arizona, Nebraska, and Oklahoma State.

LSU still waiting on news for two other players

Though LSU gets Kirklin and Fonua back, the Tigers are still awaiting the status of former five-star running back John Emery, Jr., who was ruled academically ineligible earlier in the year.

Before enrolling at LSU, Emery, Jr. was one of the nation’s most highly coveted running back prospects. He was rated as a five-star running back and played in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game. The Louisiana native was the third highest rated running back to sign with LSU since Leonard Fournette in 2014. As a senior for Destrehan High School (Destrehan, La.), he ran for 1,693 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns in guiding them to the 5A state semifinals.

Tre Bradford also has not been able to get academically cleared since transferring back to LSU from Oklahoma.

“There’s nothing we’ve heard yet on either one of them,” Orgeron said. “So we’re going to continue to wok them until we get a final answer.”

As a high school prospect, Bradford was rated four stars. In his senior season at Lancaster High School (Dallas, Texas), he ran for 1,563 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. As a receiver, he also hauled in 12 passes for 242 receiving yards and three touchdowns. For his entire high school career, the Texas native rushed for over 3,000 yards.

Big win over Mississippi State

The 28-25 win over Mississippi State was huge for LSU and especially head coach Ed Orgeron who was starting to hear some whispers about job security.

The Tigers’ season-opening loss to UCLA didn’t make things any better for their head coach. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit questioned the Tigers’ desire and effort after their 38-27 loss to UCLA.

It was a big reason he picked Mississippi State to win the contest:

“The reason I picked Mississippi State is because LSU is clearly more talented, but do they care? Are they invested? Do they want to compete? Do they want to play? In that game, I feel like it was the fork in the road on their season. I feel like it could’ve gone one way or the other.”

The LSU Tigers are currently 3-1 on the 2021 season and will welcome in the No. 22 Auburn Tigers on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. EST from Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.