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The son of Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith didn’t hear his name called in the first three days of the NFL Draft, but still managed to end up on an NFL team Sunday.
EJ Smith, a running back who played with the Texas A&M Aggies and Stanford Cardinal, reportedly signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
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Stanford Cardinal running back EJ Smith runs the ball past Sacramento State defensive lineman Brandon Knott during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Sept. 16, 2023. (Sergio Estrada/USA TODAY Sports)
It’s a near-perfect spot for Smith as he looks to make the final 53-man roster before the 2026 season begins. He will learn under Super Bowl champion head coach Andy Reid and could earn playing time as the Chiefs have looked to go through several running backs since their dynastic run began in 2019.
Damien Williams, LeSean McCoy, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson, Spencer Ware, Anthony Sherman, De’Anthony Thomas, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Le’Veon Bell, DeAndre Washington, Michael Burton, Jerick McKinnon, Derrick Gore, Isiah Pacheco, Ronald Jones II, La’Mical Perinet, Sam Elijah Mitchell, Dameon Pierce and Brashard Smith have all received carries in the backfield since the start of the 2019 season.
The Chiefs invested in a running back during the offseason, signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to a multi-year deal. The Chiefs selected Emmett Johnson in the draft and will also have Emari Demercado and ShunDerrick Powell on its depth chart.
Oregon State Beavers linebacker Cory Stover sacks Stanford Cardinal running back EJ Smith during the first half at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore., on Nov. 11, 2023. (Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports)
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Smith had 969 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 48 collegiate games between the Aggies and the Cardinal.
Emmitt Smith spoke to Pakinomist Digital about his son turning pro before the draft. He said at the time that his son asked him how he would handle the pressure of living up to his father’s legacy.
“Here’s the thing — you’ve got to run your race and you’ve got to ignore what other people say,” the former Cowboys star said. “Because you have, whatever ability you have, you have to be yourself. And you have to work on being yourself and work on what you have to do to hone your craft. Just go and play the game. Put on the blinders. Run your race. You like the horses at the Kentucky Derby. And then when the blinders come off, you can look up one day and find yourself in the damn Super Bowl.
Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith shakes hands with owner Jerry Jones after receiving his Hall of Fame ring at halftime of the game against the Detroit Lions in Arlington, Texas on November 21, 2010. (Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports)
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“But stay the course, ignore all the noise out there because it’s noise. And they’re not playing. They’re trying to put their stuff on you and their expectations on you. But if their expectations are different than yours, it doesn’t matter. Just go and meet every expectation that you’re trying to meet. Everything else doesn’t matter.”
