Highly regarded running back E.J. Smith, the son of a Pro Football Hall of a Famer, has decided to attend Stanford.
Smith, a four-star recruit, made his decision live on ESPNU with father Emmitt Smith seated to his right. E.J. Smith chose the Cardinal over Florida, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
“They just love my versatility and the way they use their running backs is something I focused on, and also the education played a major part in it, too,” E.J. Smith said after announcing his choice. “It’s a great feeling because only people know the athletic part of me, but they don’t know how much time I put in on the education side of it as well.”
After E.J. Smith selected Stanford from the five hats placed on the table, his father grabbed the Florida hat. Emmitt Smith was an All-American at Florida before going on to be the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, most of them with the Dallas Cowboys.
“I’m going to take this hat, I’m going to wear the hat,” Emmitt Smith said. “It doesn’t mean my son has to go there. At the end of the day, my son has his own journey and it is his journey, not my journey.”
E.J. Smith, who attended Jesuit College Prep in Dallas, said his famous father doesn’t put pressure on him but is available when needed.
“He has been there only when I needed help, asked for help, and not more,” E.J. Smith said. “It’s really been a turning point in my maturity because I’ve had to make this decision on my own, unless I needed help from my dad. Other than that, I’ve been on my own in this situation.”
The 5-foot-11, 199-pound Smith is rated as the 23rd top recruit in Texas and No. 144 overall by 247sports.com.