Brian Kelly describes relationship with running back John Emery, plan entering summer

On3 imageby:Nikki Chavanelle05/18/22

NikkiChavanelle

New LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly is hopeful that this could be a really good season for running back John Emery. The redshirt junior has impressed with his work ethic and “grit” after missing a year due to academic ineligibility.

“One of the traits that we talk about… is grit, he’s had to really persevere to really get to this point,” Kelly said in an interview with Fox 8. “There’ve been some things in the past but the past is behind us. The present can be really good, and his future, if he keeps doing what he’s doing.”

Despite suffering a minor injury leading up to the spring game that required a walking boot, Emery still hit the field for the Tigers. For that, he received praise from his new head coach.

“I was really impressed with him today, he was probably… he was less than healthy,” Kelly said after the spring game. “Most would have said, ‘why would you play him today?’ He wanted to go. He was like, ‘look, I’m going to get banged up during the season. I want to know what it’s going to be like because I’m not going to be 100% during the season.’ That kind of mindset says a little about him. I was proud of him… We saw what kind of back he is, even banged up.”

Emery still working towards successful LSU career

Emery was a five-star prospect, according to 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.

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.