SEC running back receives clearance for additional year of eligibility

LSU Tigers coach Brian Kelly wasn’t surprised to hear that his running back John Emery received a waiver to play an additional year of college football after suffering an ACL tear in 2024.

Despite the report of Emery’s return, it will sadly not take place at LSU as he likely enters the transfer portal this spring.

What’s up with John Emery?@LSUfootball head coach Brian Kelly comments on Emery’s announcement that he’ll be playing a seventh year of college football. #LSU pic.twitter.com/Aud9EPM3bL

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) March 22, 2025

“We haven’t talked to John about it, and it was the first that we had heard,” Kelly said Saturday. “We love John. But sometimes you know, things happen and we don’t know where they came from. We will be supportive in any way we can, but we are set where we are at in terms of the running back position. Love John, and we will be here to help and support him.”

Emery will play somewhere else in 2025 and Kelly firmly believes that he can continue playing college football and help another Power Four school.

“If he is given the 7th year, he is certainly a young man that can help someone in the Power-4,” Kelly said.

He entered college as a 5-star and No. 1 running back prospect out of nearby Destrehan during the 2019 recruiting cycle, according to 247sports. Emery committed to the Tigers over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Ole Miss, Texas and USC.

The 5-foot-11, 215 pound tailback has played in 38 career games, recording 223 carries for 1,123 yards and 14 touchdowns. Emery has also caught 37 passes for 330 yards and two more scores.