Like father, like son: E.J. Smith, the former Aggies running back, is following his father's path to play in the NFL.

No team picked up Smith during last week's 2026 NFL draft. Instead, the undrafted running back signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

On April 5, Smith attended an invite-only workout for the Dallas Cowboys. You might have heard of his father, Emmitt Smith.

Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher (18,355 yards) and rushing touchdown leader (164), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys during the 1990s.

E.J. Smith starred in high school at Jesuit in Dallas, then went to Stanford and ended his career at Texas A&M. He finished the 2025 season with 44 carries, 205 yards, 4 TD; 4 catches, 18 yards.

“Excited to officially sign with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent,” Smith wrote. “Nothing is given. Everything is earned. I’m ready to work, learn, and prove myself every single day. Thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone who believed in me and pushed me to this moment. The journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge prepared me for this next step. Grateful is an understatement. All glory to God for this opportunity. Let’s get it Chiefs Kingdom.”

Smith played four seasons at Stanford before spending his final two at Texas A&M.

In 2025, he logged 44 carries for 205 yards and four touchdowns, along with four receptions for 18 yards, but also delivered a pair of standout moments for the Aggies.

He converted a crucial fourth-and-1 from his own 34-yard line with 10 minutes remaining in a tight game against Arkansas, fighting through contact—even after colliding with tight end Micah Riley in the backfield—to reach the marker. Against UTSA, he contributed in another way, throwing three key blocks on K.C. Concepcion’s 80-yard punt return.

Over his college career, Smith totaled 207 carries for 969 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, while adding 470 receiving yards and one score through the air.