Though much has been made about LSU’s quarterback competition, the ground game is really where the team needs to improve the most on offense this fall.
Last year, the team ranked second to last in the SEC in rushing with just over 109 yards per game, finishing ahead of only Mississippi State, which runs the air raid. That won’t cut it in 2022, and after leading rusher Ty Davis-Price’s departure for the NFL, it’s a fair area of concern.
LSU is hoping to have a piece it didn’t have access to last time around in [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag], a former five-star recruit who missed all of last season due to academic ineligibility.
Emery was expected to return this fall, but after coach Brian Kelly’s press conference on Saturday, that has been called into question.
“There’s obviously things that I can’t talk about,” Kelly said. “He’s in good standing in football. So everything that he’s done, he’s done a great job with us in football.”
Asked specifically about Emery’s status entering the season, Kelly once again deflected.
“Everything that he’s done for us has been outstanding in football,” he said. “Anything else that arises would not be anything that I can comment on because of privacy rights, so I think you guys can put the rest together.”
Emery was a solid contributor during his first two seasons, reaching 378 yards and three touchdowns during his last available season as a sophomore in 2020. His presence became even more important after [autotag]Corey Kiner[/autotag] transferred to Cincinnati.
However, it remains unclear whether he will join the Tigers when they take the field against Florida State on Sept. 4, and if he isn’t available, LSU will likely rely on Penn State transfer [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag], as well as players like [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] to carry the running game.
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