Cowboys Coach Brian Schottenheimer Calls E.J. Smith Workout 'Very Cool'

The son of Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith worked out for the team ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:06pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, silver, and white representing the Dallas Cowboys' colors and style.The Cowboys' meeting with E.J. Smith, son of franchise legend Emmitt Smith, reflects the team's efforts to reinvigorate its running game through a connection to its storied past.Frisco Today

The Dallas Cowboys hosted Texas A&M running back E.J. Smith, the son of Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, for a pre-draft workout at their facility in Frisco, Texas. Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer praised Smith's skills and said it was 'very cool' to meet him, though E.J. Smith is projected as an undrafted free agent or late-round pick in the upcoming draft.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are looking to bolster their running game ahead of the 2026 season, and meeting with E.J. Smith, the son of their franchise's all-time leading rusher, is an intriguing connection. While E.J. Smith may not be an early-round draft pick, the Cowboys could still sign him as an undrafted free agent and give him a chance to make the team.

The details

E.J. Smith, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back, spent parts of four seasons at Stanford before transferring to Texas A&M for his final two college years. He is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft and was invited to the Cowboys' Dallas Day event at their facility in Frisco. Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer praised Smith's skills, saying it was 'very cool' to meet him and watch him work out. However, Smith is projected as an undrafted free agent or late-round pick, as he rushed for only 969 yards in five college seasons and never surpassed 218 yards in a single season.

  • The Cowboys hosted their Dallas Day event in Frisco, Texas ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

The players

Brian Schottenheimer

The offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

E.J. Smith

A 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back who played parts of four seasons at Stanford before transferring to Texas A&M for his final two college years.

Emmitt Smith

A Hall of Fame running back who spent the first 13 seasons of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, setting the all-time rushing record with 18,355 yards.

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What they’re saying

“Very cool. You know me, man, I'm family. I'm all family. Just watching him move, seeing him in person, the type of young man he is, it's cool.”

— Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys Offensive Coordinator

“You watch his film, and he was an incredible short-yardage runner, powerful.”

— Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys Offensive Coordinator

What’s next

The Cowboys will have nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which takes place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. They will continue to evaluate E.J. Smith and other prospects as they prepare for the draft.

The takeaway

While E.J. Smith may not be an early-round draft pick, the Cowboys' interest in him as the son of their franchise's all-time leading rusher shows they are willing to give him a chance to potentially make the team. The Cowboys are looking to bolster their running game, and Smith could be an intriguing undrafted free agent signing if he impresses during the pre-draft process.