John Emery Jr. might as well be working toward a PhD at this point. Emery has spent his entire collegiate career with the LSU Tigers. He was part of the 2019 CFP national championship squad alongside Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson.
All of them are now signing their second contracts in the NFL. Meanwhile, Emery is looking at a seventh year.
Over the years, Emery’s career has lacked promise. It has been oscillating between injuries and eligibility issues. To make it worse, he has only played 30 games from 2019 to 2022, with just eight since 2023. Emery’s career stats stand at 260 touches, 1,453 scrimmage yards, and 16 total touchdowns.
Now, as he talks about returning for an unprecedented seventh season, one thing has been made rather clear: Brian Kelly will not be the one to coach him.
Fans Upset With Brian Kelly’s Statements
Kelly’s reaction to Emery’s return announcement was far from sentimental. Kelly spoke about the same and went on to admit that LSU staff found out about Emery’s plans at the same time as the public. He gave a rather sugar-coated statement.
“We will be supportive in any way we can. We are set with where we are with the running back position but love John, and we will be here to help and support him,” Kelly said. “And, if he’s given a 7th year, he is certainly a young man who can help somebody in the Power 4 (conferences).”
That statement has sent the fandom into a spiral of emotions.
UPDATE: If granted a 7th year of eligibility, former 5-star RB John Emery will not play at LSU, Brian Kelly announced⬇️
“We are set with where we are with the running back position, but love John, and we will be here to help and support him.
And, if he’s given a 7th year, he is… https://t.co/rExHvlFKes pic.twitter.com/lVjKDRUfi4
— On3 (@On3sports) March 22, 2025
“Typical Brian Kelly behavior,” one fan wrote.
Now, this emotion is nothing new, since LSU fans have been critical of the way Kelly has handled players for a while now. This just seems to be another instance of the same to them.
“BK giving up on his players? Color me shocked,” another fan said.
This comment is all about Kelly’s history. Not so long ago, the LSU coach was accused of ghosting former player Greg Brooks Jr. and his family after Brooks battled brain cancer.
The Brooks family even went public with claims that they hadn’t heard from Kelly or anyone at LSU since 2023. As expected, Kelly, of course, denied it. However, it has been enough to make the fandom question Kelly’s methods. There are also fans who never wanted Kelly in the first place.
“Fire @CoachBrianKelly. He’s not it. Can’t win when it counts and not from the South. Never wanted this bum to begin with,” wrote another Tigers fan.
Now, this is a story that has been brewing since 2022. While it is true that Kelly has had some wins, including an SEC West title, the big-game losses and questionable decisions have kept the discontent alive.
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To be fair, Kelly has had his reasons. LSU has a jam-packed running back room with names like Harlem Berry and JT Lindsey. Additionally, with new names coming in, there is just not enough space on the roster for Emery.
However, for fans, it seems like it’s about loyalty. And for many, Kelly has shown time and again that his loyalty to his players has a clear expiration date.
Emery Jr. will likely suit up somewhere in the Power 4. But it won’t be in Death Valley. And LSU fans are in for another chapter of their love-hate relationship with Kelly.
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