Emmitt Smith's Son EJ Works Out for Dallas Cowboys

The running back prospect hopes to follow in his father's footsteps as a Cowboys star.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:20pm

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EJ Smith, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, recently worked out for the Dallas Cowboys. EJ, a former Stanford and Texas A&M player, is looking to make his own mark in the NFL after a college career that was slowed by injury. The Cowboys, led by head coach Brian Schottenheimer, were impressed by EJ's skills and his family connection to the franchise.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are looking to bolster their running game, and bringing in EJ Smith, the son of their legendary former player Emmitt Smith, could be a savvy move. EJ has the potential to follow in his father's footsteps and become a star in Dallas.

The details

EJ Smith, who played for both Stanford and Texas A&M in college, compiled 412 yards on 98 carries, four touchdowns, 12 catches and 84 yards during his two-year stint with the Aggies. Over his entire college career, he had 207 carries for 969 yards, nine touchdowns, and 71 catches for 470 yards and one touchdown reception. The Cowboys were impressed by EJ's skills as a short-yardage runner and his overall athleticism.

  • EJ Smith worked out for the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, April 6, 2026.
  • EJ Smith was a member of the Class of 2020 and was a four-star recruit out of Dallas (Texas) Jesuit.

The players

EJ Smith

The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, EJ is a running back prospect who played for both Stanford and Texas A&M in college.

Emmitt Smith

A legendary running back who played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1990-2002, Emmitt Smith holds the NFL records for career carries, career yards, career touchdowns, and first down runs. He won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys.

Brian Schottenheimer

The head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Schottenheimer was impressed by EJ Smith's skills and family connection to the franchise.

David Shaw

The former head coach of Stanford, where EJ Smith played initially, had a glowing review of the running back prospect.

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What they’re saying

“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. But, yeah, just watching him move, seeing him in person, the type of young man he is, it's cool.”

— Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys Head Coach

“I think he's a special young man, a special football player and was just really coming into his own. 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. It's just not going to happen this year.”

— David Shaw, Former Stanford Head Coach

What’s next

The Cowboys will continue to evaluate EJ Smith's performance and potential fit with the team as they prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.

The takeaway

EJ Smith's workout with the Dallas Cowboys represents an opportunity for him to follow in his father Emmitt's footsteps and potentially become the next star running back for the franchise. The Cowboys are intrigued by his skills and family connection, and EJ will look to make the most of this chance to prove he can thrive in the NFL.