Brian Kelly discusses status of John Emery ahead of 2022 season

LSU Tigers running back John Emery did not get on the field last season, being ruled academically ineligible for the entire year.

New LSU head coach Brian Kelly recently gave an update on Emery before the 2022 season, saying he is on track to play for the Tigers after resolving his eligibility issues. He said there has been an improvement in where the running back’s mind is and there has been improvement since the head coach arrived in November.

“It’s really about John being in a better place mentally than it is physically,” Kelly said. “I think he’s not as distracted, he’s focused on what’s most important, and what is most important is his academics and football. I’m really proud of the progress he’s made since my short time here and making that happen. I think we’re going to see him play for us this fall because of that and that’s all on him, right? He had to make that decision and good for him.”

Emery was rated a five-star prospect by the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting services, coming out of high school. He was the No. 1 running back in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 2 player in the state of Louisiana. Only 10 players were ranked high nationally, proving Emery is a special product.

Even so, things have not connected while in Baton Rouge. Emery has played 19 games throughout his career, starting in three during the 2020 season. In 114 rushing attempts, he has 566 yards and seven touchdowns. There have been flashes of the running back he can be, including his first 100-yard performance against the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2020.

Emery will be looking to get back on the right track this season with Kelly. With the academics and mental aspects sorted according to the head coach, Emery can continue to work on the football field and be the running back everyone knows he can be.

LSU will try to use a running back by committee for the 2022 season, with Emery being a big part of it. Penn State transfer Noah Cain will rotate in and out, while Corey Kiner returns as the Tigers’ leading rusher with just over 300 yards.

Kelly and positional coach Frank Wilson will have decisions to make. However, having a lot of depth at a position like running back is never a bad thing.