Brian Kelly updates status of LSU running back John Emery after academic issues

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — LSU coach Brian Kelly said running back John Emery "is in the process of being cleared" after the fifth-year senior missed spring practice for academic reasons.
"We’ve got maybe another thing we’ve got to get through from a couple of things that were put in front of him," Kelly said Monday at SEC media days. "But I feel pretty good that that is imminent and that he will be with us for the start of camp."
Emery had to meet certain academic requirements before he could practice, and his status was uncertain coming out of the spring semester.
Emery, a former five-star recruit from St. Rose, missed the entire 2021 season and the first two games last year because he was academically ineligible, a decision the NCAA upheld after appeals.
After Emery returned for a fifth season, he was absent from the first spring practice. Kelly said that day if Emery's "primary focus was academics and taking care of his degree, then we would have a conversation about football."
In 11 games last year, Emery rushed for 375 yards and six touchdowns. He added another 129 yards and two touchdowns receiving, including one in LSU's upset over Alabama when Emery cut along the sideline.
With Emery on track to get cleared, LSU has a deep group of running backs heading into the 2023 season. The Tigers added Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs after spring practice, and they now have eight scholarship running backs.
Kelly said Monday that LSU hopes junior Armoni Goodwin "is back and healthy for us as well" after he missed spring practice. Kelly previously expressed uncertainty about Goodwin's availability at the start of preseason camp in August as he recovered from a knee injury.
"Any time you can strengthen that position it bodes well for a team that wants to be physical," Kelly said. "We want to play physical football. Sometimes you need three or four backs to be on the ready in this league."