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Emery was deemed academically ineligible for the 2021 campaign, and ultimately never saw the field. Tyrion Davis-Price instead rushed for over 1,000 yards, but then decided to jump to the NFL. That leaves Emery as the likely starter when LSU begins the 2022 campaign. That being said, he will have some competition. Penn State transfer Noah Cain has entered the fold, while sophomores Corey Kiner and Armoni Goodwin also received opportunities as a freshman while Emery was shelved. Emery’s talent is difficult to ignore, but it has not yet translated to on-field success, and it is far from a foregone conclusion that he will end up as the lead back for the entire season.

Emery came to LSU amid much fanfare last year, but the backfield was crowded behind starter Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who shined as the Tigers roared to the National Title. Emery had just 39 carries for 188 yards as a freshman, though he did score four times on the ground. Edwards-Helaire has moved on to greener pastures, and Lanard Fournette left school, but Chris Curry and Tyrion Davis-Price still remain as competition for Emery. Curry had 38 carries last year, while Davis-Price had 64 and six touchdowns. Perhaps which back emerges as the best pass catcher out of the backfield will go a long way towards determining who sees the majority of the touches, as the aforementioned Edwards-Helaire registered 55 receptions in 2019.

There’s some risk in putting this much stock in a player who hasn’t played a down in college, but when it’s a player of Emery’s talent heading into a situation like LSU’s, it’s worth it. Emery is regarded as the second-best back in the 2019 class with a blend of power and explosiveness. The situation couldn’t be better, either; 2018 leading rusher Nick Brossette is gone and Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a middling talent who averaged just 4.5 YPC. Emery is the most talented back on the roster and has a legitimate shot at setting the LSU freshman rushing record.