Running back John Emery Jr. will be returning to LSU for a sixth year, he announced Friday on Instagram.

Emery had previously entered the transfer portal after the past season.

“I’m staying home,” the Instagram post read. “Committed!”

Emery’s return is critical for an LSU running back room that has become thin.

With incumbent starter Logan Diggs transferring to Ole Miss in the offseason, several other backups transferring and sophomore Trey Holly’s status up in the air after an arrest in February, the Tigers needed more bodies at the position.

A former five-star recruit, Emery has had high expectations from the moment he arrived on campus.

However, despite having plenty of talent, the Louisiana native has had trouble living up to those standards.

In 2021, he was forced to sit out the entire year due to academic issues.

Most recently in 2023, his role ended up being much reduced because of the emergence of Diggs, and he eventually suffered a season-ending injury in November.

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His best season came in 2022 when he rushed for 375 yards and six touchdowns while adding another 129 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

When available, Emery has the talent to be an all-around and explosive back.

Now that he’s returning, he’ll join promising sophomore Kaleb Jackson, fellow sixth-year Josh Williams and freshman Caden Durham in the backfield.

Last year, LSU had one of the most effective rushing offenses in the country, ranking No. 10 in yards and No. 1 on a per carry basis.

It’ll be hard to recreate that, but with much of LSU’s dominant offensive line returning, the running backs will have plenty of help.