Entering the 2024 season, running back looked to be a major question mark after last year’s two leading rushers — quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag] — both moved on.
Now, the depth is going to be tested even more as [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag], who led the team in carries and yards in Week 1 against USC, is done for the year after suffering a torn ACL in practice on Tuesday.
On Thursday, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said he felt “sick” for Emery, who battled injuries and academic suspensions earlier in his career but earned his degree from LSU and was expected to play a major role after briefly entering the transfer portal in the offseason.
“We feel pretty good right now where we’re at in terms of the running back position,” Kelly said. “Obviously, we feel sick about John, sometimes you think about this and just wonder, how can this be fair in any way to this poor kid? He’s just overcome so many obstacles and he’s in a non-contact situation and he sticks his foot in the ground and he tears his knee up.
“It was so disappointing and we feel so bad for him and his family. But John has overcome so much, I’m so proud of what he’s accomplished and getting his degree from LSU. He’s going to be successful in life and we’ll see what the future holds for him.”
Kelly added that Emery underwent successful knee surgery on Thursday.
Despite the injury, Kelly remains optimistic about the run game, which will now rely even more on players like [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag] and true freshman [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag]. He even went as far as to say he believes it will ultimately be a strength.
Kelly also added that true freshman cornerback [autotag]Ju’Juan Johnson[/autotag], who also played all over the field on offense in high school, will get some reps as the fourth running back, as well.
“I like what we do, I like our players up front,” Kelly said. “I’m very confident that as time goes on, the offense, and in particular the running game, is going to be the strength.”
The running game had some success in Week 1, totaling 113 yards on 25 carries. But the Tigers know they need more out of the rushing attack moving forward, and now, that room is even thinner than it was coming into the year.
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