EJ Smith, the son of NFL icon Emmitt Smith and a native of Dallas, has officially announced his declaration for the 2026 NFL Draft. The former running back for Stanford and Texas A&M has concluded his college career with nearly 1,500 total yards and 10 touchdowns. However, his draft projection remains uncertain, given that his collegiate journey was marred by injuries and limited opportunities on the field.
Local Dallas product EJ Smith, who graduated from Jesuit College Prep, entered college football as a highly touted 4-star recruit, ranking as the No. 48 prospect in the Class of 2020, according to ESPN. He initially joined Stanford, where he received high praise from head coach David Shaw, who described him as “the total package” and one of the top backs in the nation as he approached the 2022 season. Smith was even recognized on the 2022 Doak Walker Award watch list.
During his first game as Stanford’s starting running back in 2022, Smith made an immediate impact by rushing for an 87-yard touchdown on his opening carry. In the following two games, he accumulated 206 yards on 30 carries, scoring three touchdowns, while also proving his versatility with eight receptions for 63 yards and another touchdown. Unfortunately, after the second game of the season, Coach Shaw announced that Smith would be sidelined for the rest of the year due to an undisclosed injury.
In the subsequent season, EJ Smith played for the Stanford Cardinals but struggled to make a significant impact, finishing games with no more than nine carries. The team ended the season with a disappointing 3-9 record, losing five of their last six games. After participating in 24 games over four seasons, Smith decided to enter the transfer portal.
In January 2024, Smith announced his transfer to Texas A&M, returning to his home state. Although he joined the Aggies with high expectations, he found himself sharing the backfield with two other 4-star recruits, Amari Daniels and Le’Veon Moss, as well as former 5-star recruit Reuben Owens II. Consequently, he only ranked fourth in carries among the team’s running backs.
Despite not fully meeting the expectations set for him during his college career, EJ Smith’s total of nearly 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns across 48 games showcases his potential. His declaration for the 2026 NFL Draft offers NFL teams a chance to evaluate his physical attributes and athleticism at the NFL Combine, potentially enhancing his draft prospects.
