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Going into the 2022 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Tigers roster.
Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.
Next, we take a look at one of the most anticipated players on LSU’s roster in 2022 — running back John Emery Jr., who missed the entire 2021 season with academic issues. The former five-star recruit will look to play a major role in the Tigers’ offense.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: St. Rose, Louisiana
HT: 5-11
wt: 220
247Sports Composite Ranking
Five star | No. 2 in Louisiana | No. 2 running back
Class in 2021: Junior
Career Stats
| year | G | Att | Yards | YPA | Rec | Yards | Total tutorials |
| 2019 | 10 | 39 | 188 | 4.8 | 6 | 60 | 4 |
| 2020 | 9 | 75 | 378 | 5 | 14 | 73 | 3 |
PFF Rankings (Team Rankings)
| year | Insulted | passing | Pass Blocking | Runs | Run Blocking |
| 2019 | 75.5 | 35.5 | 64.6 | 81.5 | 60.0 |
| 2020 | 70.0 | 52.6 | 43.2 | 76.3 | 58.4 |
Depth Chart Overview
While there is certainly a lot of excitement surrounding Emery, there is also quite a deal of uncertainty. He was expected to see significant reps as a junior in 2021, but that changed when he was forced to miss the entirety of the season.
Now, last year’s leading rusher in Ty Davis-Price is gone, and that opens the door for Emery to see a good portion of the carries entering the season. If he can impress in spring and fall camps, he has a decent chance of winding up the starter.
He won’t claim that role without competition, though. The Tigers also added a Penn State transfer in Noah Cain this offseason, and they return a pair of sophomores in Corey Kiner and Armoni Goodwin.
Cain had an impressive freshman season with the Nittany Lions but saw his production drop off over the last two seasons. Kiner saw a lot more action than Goodwin did last year, but neither was a major part of the offense.
Emery has done a good job with the limited carries he’s seen in his career, and he’s averaging around five yards per carry during his career in the purple and gold. It remains to be seen if he can shoulder a heavy workload, but there’s reason to be optimistic if you’re LSU.
Players’ Photo Gallery
Syndication: The Tennessean
LSU running back John Emery Jr. (4) hi-steps into the end zone for a touchdown against…
LSU running back John Emery Jr. (4) hi-steps into the end zone for a touchdown against Vanderbilt during the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Nas Vandy Lsu Gamer 007
NCAA Football: College Football Playoff National Championship-Clemson vs. Louisiana State
Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr (4) against…
Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr (4) against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – LSU v Oklahoma
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Running back John Emery Jr. #4 of the LSU Tigers celebrates…
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Running back John Emery Jr. #4 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the defense of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28 , 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Alabama at Louisiana State
Dec 5, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) leaps…
Dec 5, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) leaps past Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back DeMarcco Hellams (29) for a touchdown during the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Arkansas
Nov 21, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) runs with…
Nov 21, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) runs with the ball as Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Joe Foucha (7) makes a tackle during the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: South Carolina at Louisiana State
Oct 24, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) and…
Oct 24, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) and quarterback TJ Finley (11) celebrate after a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Auburn
Oct 31, 2020; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery (4) is tackled by…
Oct 31, 2020; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery (4) is tackled by Auburn Tigers linebacker Owen Pappoe (0) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Syndication: The Tennessean
LSU running back John Emery Jr. (4) hi-steps into the end zone for a touchdown against…
LSU running back John Emery Jr. (4) hi-steps into the end zone for a touchdown against Vanderbilt during the fourth quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Nas Vandy Lsu Gamer 008
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