John Emery, a former five-star running back, is back.
Following the departure of former five-star John Emery, which left the Tigers with just three scholarship running backs, many speculated whether LSU would make use of the Transfer Portal to address the lack of depth at the position. In fact, the personnel checked the gateway and changed Emery to… Emery just declared that he would be returning to Baton Rouge for his last season and removing his name off the portal. His choice gives the Tigers much-needed depth and gives him another opportunity in Baton Rouge to live up to the high expectations he brought with him.
High Hopes from High School.
According to the 247Sports composite rankings, the former standout running back from Destrehan High School arrived at LSU in 2019 as a five-star recruit and the nation’s second-best high school running back. As a true freshman, Emery participated in ten games; naturally, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a projected first-round selection, received the majority of the playing time.
In 2020, Emery’s remarkable five yards per carry average came from his sophomore year. With 14 receptions, he was useful in the passing game as well. Emery appeared ready to take over as the starting quarterback in 2021 after ranking second on the team in running yards. Regretfully, Emery’s career has always included a persistently depressing element. There were difficulties whenever it appeared that he was ready to realize his full potential. Emery was academically ineligible for 2021 and did not play a down.
In the end, Emery battled his way back into the starting lineup, and in 2022 he had his best year at LSU. In the end, he accumulated more than 500 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. In 2023, trouble struck once more as Emery tried to cap off a brilliant run against Florida with a score. He made an incredible move to get away from a defender at the line of scrimmage and then broke into open field. The senior’s season was abruptly ended after his subsequent blunder close to the goal line caused an ACL tear.
