John Emery, the No. 14-ranked prospect in the class of 2019, is staying home for college.
The 5-foot-11, 202-pound top-ranked running back committed to LSU on Tuesday night, less than a month after backing off a pledge to defending SEC champion Georgia.
Proud to say I'm staying home. COMMITTED. 🐯 #God1st #GoTigers pic.twitter.com/Vol9YMzpV4
— John Emery (@Emery4____) November 13, 2018
Emery, the No. 2-ranked prospect in Louisiana out of Destrehan High School, originally committed to the Bulldogs in late July over Mississippi State, LSU, Florida State and many of the nation's most decorated programs. Emery had been on the campuses of Tennessee (where his father played), LSU and Georgia this season before announcing his commitment Tuesday.
With the commitment of the nation's top running back, the Tigers will enter the 2019 season with a wealth of talent and versatility at the position after starting this season with little depth. Emery joins fellow ESPN 300 running back Tyrion Davis in the 2019 class, and they will compete with returnees Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chris Curry, Tae Provens and Lanard Fournette for playing time.
LSU already had boasted the nation's No. 9-ranked recruiting class prior to Emery's pledge Tuesday. The Tigers' class now includes 10 ESPN 300s and 12 four-stars among 20 commitments.
The commitment from Emery, an Under Armour All-America Game alum, is massive for Tigers coach Ed Orgeron as he fights to keep the top prospects at home. LSU currently has three of the state's top four prospects committed, including cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and powerful road grader Kardell Thomas.
The Tigers are locked in a battle with Alabama for the state's top-ranked prospect, five-star defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher.
Emery is the latest highly sought after prospect to come out of Destrehan High, joining a list that includes Ed Reed, Rondell Mealey and Jordan Jefferson.