Ed Orgeron addresses latest on running back's NCAA eligibility appeal

The LSU Tigers are still waiting for an update from the NCAA on running back John Emery’s ongoing eligibility appeal. Head coach Ed Orgeron gave an update on the situation during his Monday press conference.

“We’re supposed to hear something soon,” Orgeron said. “He’s going to practice like they’ll make a decision and if they say he can play, then he’ll be ready to play. We’ll continue to practice like that until we hear anything different.”

Former five-star John Emery was declared ineligible a couple of weeks ago due to academic issues. After Orgeron shared the news, the running back filed an appeal to the NCAA’s decision; his appeal, however, was denied.

Following Emery’s failed appeal, the Louisiana native hired a lawyer with hopes of fighting the NCAA’s decision. He hired attorney Don Jackson and the pair submitted additional information to D-I football’s governing body.

The NCAA took Emery’s case back up on Thursday of last week. However, no decision came in time for the running back to participate in the Tigers’ win over Mississippi State. Should they rule in his favor, he could play for LSU in the week five game. Auburn travels to Baton Rouge with both teams sitting at 3-1 on the season.

Tigers run game ready for John Emery’s return

When Orgeron originally told reporters that John Emery was ineligible, the expectation was that would be the case for the remainder of the season. With the NCAA reconsidering, Emery would be welcomed back to the field with open arms.

In two seasons at LSU, Emery has 566 yards on 114 rushing attempts with seven touchdowns, averaging five yards per carry. He sat behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, on LSU’s depth chart during the Tigers’ 2019 National Championship run.

Emery is a former five-star prospect coming out of high school. He rushed for 1,693 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior at Destrehan High School in Louisiana.

Without Emery, LSU ranks 13th out of 14 in the SEC in rushing offense. The Tigers rushed the ball 112 times for 320 yards (2.86 ypc) and they have just two rushing touchdowns. Only LSU and Mississippi State average fewer than 100 rushing yards per game through four games.