re: Today's portal entrants: John Emery Jr. | Joe Cryer

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Emery will always be one of those "what ifs"

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Yeah, not really.

He had multiple opportunities to make a big impact (probably more than most) and never did.

Going into the 2019 season LSU had CEH, Lanard Fournett, TDP (freshman), and Curry. Clyde had been a solid player at LSU to that point, but not necessarily a game-changer. There was an opportunity for Emery to get significant PT. Instead, he couldn't hold on to the football in practice and CEH became a great piece of the new offense. But still, the #2 back was a fellow true freshman in TDP. Hell, even when CEH missed the Oklahoma game Emery couldn't get meaningful snaps in a backup role.

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had his other issues where he couldn't stay eligible

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That was self inflicted. Was the penalty unreasonably harsh? Probably so. But it's not like he was a victim of "bad luck".

In 2022 LSU had maybe the biggest hole they've had a the RB position a while. Yet, again, under a new coaching staff he couldn't beat out a former walk-on for the starting job. Same last year until he was injured.

I'll give it to Emery, he had a loyal fanbase all the way to the end that fully believed the next carry was going to be the one where all of the 5 star greatness finally reached the surface and never left...despite 5 years of mostly nothing outside of a few brief glimmers of greatness. He was onl the LSU roster for 5 years. And you can count his great moments on one hand:

2020 performance vs. Vanderbilt
Terrific TD run vs. Alabama in 2020
A few great runs vs. Auburn in 2022
Excellent catch and run for a TD vs Alabama in 2022.


Case in point...

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He’s been through so much over the last few seasons but finally put it all together before getting hurt.

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What game was it that he "finally put it all together" before getting hurt vs. Florida?

Mississippi St where he had 3 carries for 7 yards?
Arkansas where he had 2 carries for 3 yards?
Ole Miss where he had 3 carries for 23 yards?
Alabama where he had 1 carry for 0 yards?

Now, I guess you could say the Auburn game where he had that one catch for 49 yards. Of course, Tre Bradford had 55 yards on that EXACT same play to open the season vs. FSU.