EJ Smith, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, recently participated in an invite-only workout for the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas, Texas. This event comes as the NFL Draft approaches later this month, creating a buzz around the young athlete’s potential future in professional football.

Smith began his college career at Stanford before transferring to Texas A&M, where he compiled impressive stats, including 412 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Over his college career, he recorded a total of 207 carries for 969 yards and nine touchdowns. However, his journey has not been without challenges; he faced a season-ending injury in 2022 while at Stanford.

During the workout, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed enthusiasm about seeing EJ Smith in action, stating, “Very cool. You know me, man, I’m family. I’m all family. And you watch his film and he was an incredible short-yardage runner, powerful.” Schottenheimer’s remarks highlight the potential he sees in Smith, who was a four-star recruit out of Dallas (Texas) Jesuit in the Class of 2020.

David Shaw, Smith’s former coach at Stanford, also praised the young athlete, saying, “I think he’s a special young man, a special football player and was just really coming into his own.” Shaw emphasized the bright future he envisions for Smith, stating, “The future’s bright. This is something that needs to be taken care of now and I still expect him to be the special football player that we envision, that he envisions, sooner or later.”

As the NFL Draft approaches, the Cowboys are evaluating their options, and Smith’s workout may play a crucial role in their decision-making process. Observers note that Schottenheimer seems open to taking a chance on him, which could lead to a significant opportunity for the young running back.

Emmitt Smith, who holds numerous NFL records, including career rushing yards and touchdowns, has set a high bar for his son. EJ Smith’s performance during this workout could be pivotal in establishing his own legacy in the sport.

With the NFL Draft set for later in April 2026, all eyes will be on EJ Smith as he aims to carve out his own path in professional football, following in the footsteps of his legendary father.