Brian Kelly has been very complimentary of running back John Emery Jr. during training camp. But that doesn’t mean that Emery has earned a role in the season opener against Florida State.

Emery missed the 2021 season when he was declared academically ineligible. Kelly said Saturday that Emery has worked his way back into good standing with the football team, but stopped short of confirming the running back as available at the start of the season.

“He is in good standing in football,” Kelly said, per the Daily Advertiser. “So everything he’s done, he’s done a great job with us.”

In 2020, Emery Jr. rushed for 378 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has been working with the second team during camp and likely to back up Penn State transfer Noah Cain and Armoni Goodwin. Cain rushed for 350 years and four touchdowns with the Nittany Lions last year.

Kelly believes that all the backs will get some chances this year.

“Leonard Fournette is not in the backfield,” Kelly said. “We don’t have like that marquee guy if you will, but all of them complement each other very well. And I think we’ll be very effective at that position.”

LSU will play Florida State on Sept. 4 at the Mercedes Superdome in New Orleans.