What should we expect from John Emery Jr. in his return?
John Emery Jr. will make his return on Saturday night when LSU takes the field against Mississippi State.
Emery missed all of 2021 due to academic qualification issues. Just when we thought that was all in the past, Emery had to sit out the first two games of 2022, but Brian Kelly has said the recent suspension relates to what happened with Emery before this staff took over.
Emery began his career in 2019 as a highly touted five-star. He was stuck behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2019, but when he got his chance, he looked good.
3️⃣9️⃣ DAYS!
John Emery showed us what he brings to the table on this 39 yard TD during his freshman year. #GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/pkqF4SC60y
— OTOP (@OneTeamOnePod) July 27, 2021
In 2020, Emery had good games, including a 124 total yard performance against Vanderbilt, but never quite broke out. He is now a senior but has another year of eligibility left after this one due to the NCAA granting athletes a fifth year of eligibility amid the pandemic.
After all this time, Emery will get another chance. The homegrown five-star will play his first game since December 2020. What should we expect?
Earlier this week, Kelly tempered expectations, acknowledging that it might take some time for Emery to warm up considering the extended absence.
Brian Kelly reiterated today how John Emery Jr. hasn’t played in over a year. He thinks the skills are there and hopes Emery can boost the run game. But “we’re not going to ask him to do too much” right away. https://t.co/1PP4yBUKnd
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) September 14, 2022
It would not be surprising to see Armoni Goodwin get the most carries this week, but Emery should be right there.
If Emery comes out hot, he’ll get the ball more and more. LSU’s offense needs to find another dimension, whether it’s working the middle of the field through the air or establishing a ground game. Emery could certainly help with the ladder.
That ability is still there, and while LSU could have used Emery in 2021, there shouldn’t be much wear on his tires. He should be fresh and ready to run.
He’s the most complete back on LSU’s roster. He can run inside and out. He’s got the physicality and the speed. He’s shown he can factor in as a receiver, too.
Emery has something to prove. That can bode well for a player of his talent level. Tiger fans should expect him to be locked in and all off-season, this staff has seem ready to make Emery a central part of this offense.
He might not set the world on fire this week, but that’s okay. Given some time, Emery should become the player he was expected to be when he arrived in 2019.
Saturday has been a long time coming for Emery. Now, he just has to play football.
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