Noah Cain looks to boost career in familiar surroundings at LSU

Baton Rouge native Noah Cain has returned home to play at LSU following a extended disconnect.

His family moved to Dallas following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he attended high school in Denton, Texas. Cain next transferred to IMG Academy where he served as team captain and teamed with current Alabama running back Trey Sanders.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Cain was ranked as the 98th player overall in the 2019 class and the sixth best running back. He often returned to Baton Rouge for family holidays, football camps and during summer vacation.

After considering Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Florida State, Auburn and Penn State, he decided on joining the Nittany Lions.

Growing up in the shadows of Tiger Stadium, Cain had great familiarity with LSU’s program. All arrows seemed to point to Baton Rouge being his ultimate college destination after attending LSU camps from the sixth to ninth grade. He took the long way around.

“Kids dream of getting an offer from LSU,” Cain stated. “Every summer I was trying to work hard and get better. When the opportunity presented itself to come back, I wanted to hop on it immediately.”

His early success in Happy Valley appeared to justify his decision to play at Penn State. He finished second on the team in rushing as a true freshman in 2019 with 443 yards on a 5.3-yards per carry average. He also became the first Nittany Lions freshman to record consecutive 100-yard rushing games (105 yds. vs. Purdue and 102 yards vs. Iowa). Cain also set the school freshman record by scoring eight touchdowns, breaking the marks of eventually NFL backs Saquon Barkley and D.J. Dozier.

During his 24 contests in a Penn State uniform, he compiled 806 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 4.1 average per tote. He suffered a Lisfranc injury in the 2020 season opener against Iowa in the first quarter, landing on shelf for the remainder of the season. The setback limited his ability to run or move, affecting his overall balance as well as his ability to push off. It took a bite out of his game.

Cain feels like he has finally overcome an uphill climb where playing at less than 100 percent dogged him. His arrival in Tiger Town gives him a fresh start.

“I’m feeling 120 percent from the Lisfranc injury. Trying to play through it, I didn’t heal as fast as I would have liked. The way that I run the ball, it was uncomfortable. As the season (last year) wore on, I became more comfortable, but this has been a great off season, both mentally and physically. Being back at LSU, it’s great, working every day, improving,” Cain explained.

LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson is serving his second tenure on staff with the Tigers. From 2010 to 2015 instructing the running backs, Wilson tutored future NFL backs Stevan Ridley, Spencer Ware, Jeremy Hill, Derrius Guice and Leonard Fournette. Cain knew all about Wilson’s reputation.

“When I entered the transfer portal, I saw that Coach Frank (Wilson) had returned to LSU,” Cain noted. “So, when the opportunity presented itself, it made sense. Coach (Brian) Kelly’s record and with the players that Coach Frank has coached and put in the NFL, I wanted to be coached by one of the best in the country. I knew that he could help me get my game to the next level. The journey that I’ve had, with success early and with having injuries, now I’m back. Being at LSU has been great. It’s been a privilege to be here. I’ve become a better player, the improvements in my game, from the first day that I got here until now. It’s been a great transition so far.”

After entering the portal, Cain’s initial visit to Baton Rouge was all about pinpointing his potential and improving his strengths.

“I have become more explosive, that’s one of the biggest things that Coach Frank and I talked about on my official visit in January. To become just an all-around back.”

“A lot of things Coach Frank wanted me to work on, IQ of the game, how the game has slowed down for me. He’s shown me tapes of Leonard (Fournette) and (Derrius) Guice, how they did a lot of pre-snap reads. The type of things that helped them become the players that they were here.”

Noah and his new backfield running mate John Emery, Jr., the No. 2 ranked running back in the 2019 class, shared a relationship in high school. They were roommates during the summer of 2018 at the Nike Opening event. The Destrehan product Emery, much like Noah, will have something to prove this season after missing all of 2021.

“I’m thankful to be here,” Cain stated.” Everything happens for a reason. When John committed to LSU, it was the place for him at that time. I can’t say that it was the place for me back then. God brings us full circle, bringing me back here. When I had the opportunity to come to LSU, I didn’t hesitate. I was blessed with opportunities to go to other places. This is home. It’s my dream school. It just all made sense.”

The Tigers may not have a featured back this season but instead more of a focus of running back by committee. Right now, there is a great amount of unselfishness, a feeling of camaraderie in the running back room.

“When I was at Penn State, we had a four-man rotation. So, I’m used to it. When I get in the game, I want to make a play. You make a play; you’ll get a chance to make another play. I don’t worry about how many carries am I going to get. When I get an opportunity to get in the game, whatever they ask me to do, I’ll do it to the best of my ability and try to make a play.”

When healthy, Cain established a reputation of a power back while at Penn State, capable of 20-plus carries each game. He showed vision and patience as a runner, with balance and determination. He doesn’t shy away from contact, yet displays quick footwork in the open field to sidestep a would-be tackler. He ran a 4.41 in high school but now carries 226 pounds. There is still burst to his game despite the physical growth.

Cain wants to prove that he is a multi-purpose back with capable hands as a receiver and more than just a power runner as he was often seen to be at Penn State.

“That label was put on me from the way I was developed there. I’m an all-around back. I can do everything. That’s why I’m so anxious to prove myself and show what I’m capable of. At Penn State, I had become a better pass catcher, to be more comfortable in the passing game, running better routes. That’s one thing that I developed over time.”

The other parts of the job as a running back who wants to stay on the field are areas Cain feels he is ready to do the work when it counts.

“Coach Frank has constantly repeated that if you don’t protect the quarterback, you’re not going to play. You’ve got to keep the QB in the game. That’s one thing that we focus on, watch the safety rotation, the linebacker rotation, the D-Line rotation. It all plays as a factor in the game. Coach Kelly has instilled in us,’ You’ve got to protect the QB’. That’s one thing that I pride myself on, make sure that the QB is protected.”

Kelly has a record of proven success in college football at every coaching stop he has made. His outline for winning is clear. It’s not a road map with a lot of twists and turns. It’s following a simple path. He is a no-nonsense coach. What you see is what you get.

“It’s his business approach,” Cain described. “Don’t over-think the game. Have confidence in what we do. It’s still football. You’re here for a reason. Live up to the moment. Just be ready when your number is called.”

If Cain is able to answer the call, LSU’s running game has a greater chance to be reliable this fall.