LSU running back seeking reconsideration after being deemed ineligible

LSU running back John Emery has hired an attorney after being deemed academically ineligible for the 2021 season.

“#LSU RB John Emery, deemed academically ineligible this season, has hired Alabama-based attorney Don Jackson,” said Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger. “The attorney will be submitting “new information” to the NCAA in an effort to seek what’s termed a “reconsideration,” Jackson says. Emery’s initial appeal was denied.”

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron told reporters on Monday that the former five-star is out for the season.

“John Emery is out for the year and my saying is he’s unavailable. Right now, he’s unavailable. Things could change,” Orgeron said. “If they do change, we’ll play him. Could they change? Yeah, but that’s out of my control.”

Emery filed an appeal to the NCAA but was denied. The expectation is that Alabama-based attorney Don Jackson will submit new information to seek a reconsideration from the NCAA.

Last season, John Emery made ten appearances, starting three games for the Tigers. Emery rushed for 378 yards on 75 carries and caught 14 passes for 73 yards.

Emery missed much of LSU’s fall camp due to injury but had returned to practice prior to LSU’s season opener against UCLA.

John Emery was a five-star prospect coming out of high school in 2019. As a senior at Destrehan (LA.), Emery rushed for 1,693 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading his team to the 5A state semifinals. 

As a freshman on LSU’s national championship team, Emery rushed for 188 yards and four touchdowns sitting behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Tyron Davis-Price and Chris Curry. 

Ground game struggles without John Emery

In LSU’s season-opening loss to UCLA, the Tigers rushed for just 49 yards on 25 carries, a less than impressive two yards per carry. Tyrion Davis-Price received 13 carries, but he totaled just 31 yards. 

LSU’s rushing attack improved slightly against McNeese State in week two, but still averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. Corey Kiner led the rushing attack against McNeese State with 11 carries, 56 yards, and a touchdown. 

Orgeron expects running back Kevontre Bradford to be available for LSU soon. Bradford transferred to Oklahoma in June after one season at LSU. In August, Bradford re-entered the portal, and eventually found his way back to LSU. In his lone season in Baton Rouge as a freshman in 2020, Bradford appeared in five games and rushed 10 times for 58 yards with a touchdown reception.