Son of Dallas Cowboys Franchise Legend Works Out For Team

E.J. Smith, son of Cowboys icon Emmitt Smith, gets a workout with his father's former team.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with the player's form broken down into overlapping angular shapes in shades of navy, silver, and white.The son of a Dallas Cowboys legend gets a chance to prove himself to the franchise that made his father a star.Dallas Today

The Dallas Cowboys, one of the NFL's most storied franchises, recently hosted E.J. Smith, the son of legendary running back Emmitt Smith, for a workout. E.J. Smith, who played at Texas A&M, is looking to follow in his father's footsteps and make it to the NFL, though he is not viewed as a top prospect and may go undrafted.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have a rich history of iconic players, and Emmitt Smith is one of the most revered figures in franchise lore. The opportunity for his son to work out for the team holds symbolic significance, as it represents a potential passing of the torch from one generation to the next.

The details

E.J. Smith, who spent most of his college career as a backup at Texas A&M, finished his college career with 207 rushing attempts for 969 yards and 9 touchdowns. While he is not considered a top prospect, the Cowboys recently hosted him for a workout, giving him a chance to impress the team's coaches, including offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

  • E.J. Smith recently worked out for the Cowboys in April 2026.

The players

Emmitt Smith

A Hall of Fame running back and Dallas Cowboys icon, holding the NFL's all-time rushing yards record.

E.J. Smith

The son of Emmitt Smith, a running back who played at Texas A&M and is now looking to make it to the NFL, recently working out for the Cowboys.

Brian Schottenheimer

The offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, who was impressed by E.J. Smith's workout.

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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, Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys

What’s next

The Cowboys will continue to evaluate E.J. Smith's potential and decide whether to offer him a contract, either as a draft pick or an undrafted free agent.

The takeaway

The opportunity for Emmitt Smith's son to work out for the Cowboys represents the potential for a new generation of talent to emerge within the franchise's storied history. While E.J. Smith may not be a top prospect, the workout demonstrates the team's willingness to consider all avenues to find the next great Cowboys player.