Running back John Emery Jr. came with high hopes to LSU in the 2019 class. A 5-star rated prospect at the time who was ranked 2nd in his position nationally. Much was promised from the guy as he prepared for an exciting chapter with LSU. He helped LSU win the national title, beating Clemson in the same year, and wanted to do wonders with that spirit. And carry the legacy forward. However, fate had planned something else altogether for the guy.
The player rushed 188 yards on 39 carries in the 2019 season. A season that promised more in the bag for the guy. But, eventually, injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic affected his career so drastically that he has started just 5 games in his 6 years with LSU. In the 5 games he started and 38 games he featured in, he has accumulated 1,123 rushing yards for 14 touchdowns, along with 330 receiving yards on 37 catches. His stint with the Tigers was to be ended in 2025. But then came a complete turnaround.
According to the latest reports, the player is likely looking to win another year of eligibility, which will ensure his 7th year in college football. However, the news, while quite optimistic, could still see him exit LSU for pastors anew. Since Brian Kelly was already planning for the player to depart, and with one year of added eligibility, it seems Kelly has no plans for him even now.
UPDATE: If granted a 7th year of eligibility, former 5-star RB John Emery will not play at LSU, Brian Kelly announced
“We are set with where we are with the running back position, but love John, and we will be here to help and support him.
And, if he’s given a 7th year, he is… https://t.co/rExHvlFKes pic.twitter.com/lVjKDRUfi4
— On3 (@On3sports) March 22, 2025
Kelly said in a recent statement. “We will be supportive in any way we can, We are set with where we are with the running back position, but love John, and we will be here to help and support him. And, if he’s given a 7th year, he is certainly a young man who can help somebody in the Power 4 (conferences).”
This essentially points to the case that the player will be listed in the transfer portal and will see his final year at another program. Emery’s career was largely marred by injuries as he suffered a torn ACL in week 1 of the 2024 season and missed it entirely. Even in the 2023 season, a knee injury shortened in the middle of the season dashed all his prospects to be the starter. With that being said, it seems the LSU supporters aren’t quite impressed with Kelly’s statement.
LSU Supporters furious with Brian Kelly’s statements
John Emery Jr. is a player who is a native of Destrehan, Louisiana. And that is why the potential snub of the player by Brian Kelly is being taken quite seriously by fans. And especially the natives of Louisiana. One of the users replying below the post by On3, said, “Brian Kelly is a real piece of s–t. First the player with cancer now this. Yikes, who would send their kid here?“. While another had quite a harsh take on Kelly, “Brian Kelly being a garbage human being isn’t news“.
Well, there were accusations earlier on Brian Kelly about abandoning support to one of their players Greg Brooks Jr. as he was diagnosed with brain cancer. The player’s family even filed a lawsuit against LSU for negligence, misdiagnosis, and lack of treatment at LSU. His father even called out Kelly on an episode of ‘Good Morning America’ and alleged Kelly and LSU abandoned the family during trying times.
Other users were also quite harsh on Brian Kelly as one of the users said, “Potential 7th-year dude from Louisiana who has dealt with multiple season-ending injuries can’t get a roster spot at the school he signed to and has been loyal to for 6 years…? I expect nothing less from Brian Kelly“. While another said, “No comment or “ we will evaluate” would have been a better look than this. Yikes“. Well, the users are right in one aspect i.e. Emery’s loyalty to the LSU program.
The player even pondered listing to the transfer portal after the 2023 season, but eventually came back and withdrew his name. Even in the 6 years he played and didn’t start games the player remained loyal to the program. Since, a player of his caliber could have easily played for some other program that would have ‘valued’ his services. But, he didn’t, so that alone speaks about the loyalty that the player had. And also finding a single spot for a player who has been for 6 years at a program shouldn’t be that difficult right? What do you think?
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