Stanford RB EJ Smith, Son Of Cowboys Legend RB Emmit Smith, Commits To Texas A&M
EJ Smith was always meant to wear the Maroon and White. It just took four years to land him in College Station for good.
Smith, the son of Hall of Fame running back Emmit Smith, officially committed to Texas A&M on Sunday after beginning his career at Stanford. Smith will have two years of eligibility remaining under first-year coach Mike Elko.
Smith initially was drawn to the Aggies throughout the recruiting process coming out of Dallas Jesuit as a four-star prospect. Instead, he elected to head out west, joining forces with David Shaw as the hopeful bell-cow runner in Palo Alto.
Stanford Cardinal running back EJ Smith take the field at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif.
Troy Tamoinoa - USA Today Sports
That never occurred. Smith dealt with a slew of injuries and often split reps with a multitude of tailbacks, never emerging as the face of the offense. In four years, he rushed for 557 yards and five touchdowns on 109 carries.
Smith also caught 59 passes for 386 yards and a touchdown.
Under new head coach Troy Taylor, Smith's production saw an upitck. He posted a career-high 218 yards and a touchdown on 53 carries while totaling a career-best 33 catches for 242 yards.
Smith redshirted his junior season in 2022 after only playing two games due to an undisclosed injury.
The Aggies should feel content at tailback entering the first year of the Elko era. Amari Daniels and Le'Veon Moss are both returning for spring practice. Freshman standout Rueben Owens should see an expanded role with another year under his belt in the SEC.
The Aggies did not sign a running back as part of their 2024 recruiting class, so consider Smith the consolation prize at the position.
Last season, A&M ranked 91st in run offense after averaging 136.2 yards per game. The Aggies totaled 23 touchdowns on the ground but averaged less than four yards per run, their lowest total since 2006.
With Smith's commitment, the Aggies have added 17 total transfers for the upcoming season, including offensive lineman Ar'Maj Reed-Adams (Kansas), linebacker Scooby Williams (Florida), defensive end Nic Scourton (Purdue), cornerbacks Will Lee III (Kansas State) and Jaydon Hill (Florida), and safety De'Rickey Wright (Vanderbilt).
The Aggies open the 2024 season at Kyle Field against Notre Dame on Aug. 31.
