Who Is Emmitt Smith IV?
Emmitt Smith IV is a young athlete with a renowned surname attempting to find his own path. As E.J. Smith was born in Dallas, Texas, on May 15, 2002, into a sports and entertainment family. He is the oldest son of Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith and former Miss Virginia USA and philanthropist Patricia Southall Smith.
E.J. grew up in a home where greatness was a lifestyle. However, his story differs from his father’s. A modern college athlete balances family expectations, injuries, transfers, academics, and the challenging transition to professional football. He had to discover his own opening like a runner looking for space between defenders.
Early Life in Dallas
Dallas is key to comprehending E.J. Smith. Not merely his birthplace. His early identity developed there. E.J. was raised in a Smith-savvy city. He became a good football player at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.
His high school career showed his talent. He ran for nearly 3,000 yards and 60 touchdowns at Jesuit. His 2019 season was particularly impressive. He has 3,072 running yards, 60 rushing touchdowns, 1,618 receiving yards, and 19 receiving touchdowns. Video game stats may make a local talent a national recruit.
He was first-team all-district and District 9-6A Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. As a four-star recruit, he became Dallas’ top running back prospect. Florida and Texas A&M coveted him, but he chose Stanford, demonstrating his football and academic values.
College Career at Stanford
Stanford would be E.J.’s first significant chapter. Smith found his own identity away from his father. He joined in 2020 and played four seasons till 2023. As is typical for young backs learning to college football’s speed and intricacy, his playing time was restricted.
In 2020, he appeared in 3 games with limited action. In 2021, he took a step forward, rushing 26 times for 133 yards and 1 touchdown. His first collegiate touchdown came on September 18, 2021, against Vanderbilt.
The most exciting moment of his Stanford career was September 4, 2022. He ran 87 yards for a score on his opening carry of the season against Colgate. It was one of Stanford’s longest touchdown runs and a fantastic example of his running ability. He had 118 yards and 2 touchdowns in that game and 206 yards and 3 touchdowns in Stanford’s first two 2022 games.
That hot start made him look ready for a breakout year. Then football delivered one of its cruelest reminders. On September 27, 2022, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Momentum can be fragile in sports, and that injury interrupted what might have become his best year with the Cardinal.
Across four seasons at Stanford, he appeared in 24 games. He rushed 109 times for 557 yards and 5 touchdowns, and added 59 catches for 386 yards and 1 receiving touchdown. He also earned recognition by landing on the 2022 Doak Walker Award watch list.
In 2023, he graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in Innovation and Organization, showing that his time there was about more than the stat sheet.
Transfer to Texas A&M and Final College Seasons
I see E.J.’s move to Texas A&M as the next reset in his career. After entering the transfer portal on November 28, 2023, he announced his transfer to Texas A&M on January 7, 2024. He arrived as a graduate student, bringing experience, maturity, and the hope of a fresh opportunity.
He played for Aggies in 2024 and 2025. He ran 40 times for 150 yards and caught 8 catches for 68 yards in 12 games in 2024. In the Las Vegas Bowl on December 27, 2024, he ran for 36 yards on 5 carries and caught 44 yards on 2 receptions. His longest run that year was 10 yards.
He then completed his final college season in 2025 while working toward a master’s degree in real estate. That graduate degree adds another important layer to his profile. E.J. was not simply extending a football journey. He was building a future beyond the field as well.
Over six seasons at Stanford and Texas A&M, he ran for 969 yards and 9 touchdowns on 207 carries. He also had 71 catches for 470 yards and 1 receiving score. He was not one of the best productive backs of his period, but his figures demonstrate adaptability, determination, and a desire to keep grinding through different roles and situations.
The Leap to the Kansas City Chiefs
The NFL has a small entrance, and I think E.J. Smith’s journey shows perseverance. Post-2025 collegiate eligibility, he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He was undrafted on April 26, 2026, which is hard for any prospect, especially one with a prominent surname.
Still, his narrative continued. He joined the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 1, 2026. A three-year, $3.1 million contract with $100,000 guaranteed was reported. Initially wearing No. 22, he competed for a roster place in training camp.
For a young player, that kind of opportunity matters. Undrafted free agents often live on the edge of the roster, where every carry and every practice rep can shift a career. The margin is thin as a shoelace, but the door is open.
A Quick Career Snapshot
| Stage | Years | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth and upbringing | 2002 onward | Born in Dallas, Texas on May 15, 2002 |
| High school | Jesuit Dallas | Over 3,000 rushing yards and 60 plus touchdowns |
| Stanford | 2020 to 2023 | 557 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs, degree in Innovation and Organization |
| Texas A&M | 2024 to 2025 | Final two college seasons, master’s in real estate |
| NFL entry | 2026 | Signed with Kansas City Chiefs as UDFA |
His Father: Emmitt Smith III
I cannot talk about E.J. without addressing his father, Emmitt James Smith III. Born in 1969, Emmitt Smith is one of the greatest running backs in football history. He starred at the University of Florida before spending 15 NFL seasons from 1990 through 2004, mainly with the Dallas Cowboys.
His résumé is towering. He won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in the 1992, 1993, and 1995 seasons. He remains the NFL’s all-time rushing leader with 18,355 yards and 164 rushing touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
That kind of legacy can feel like a mountain. For E.J., it is both an inheritance and a challenge.
His Mother: Patricia Southall Smith
Patricia Annette Southall Smith adds another notable branch to the family story. Born in 1970, she is a former Miss Virginia USA, a journalism graduate of James Madison University, and the founder of the charity Treasure You.
She married Emmitt Smith on April 22, 2000. Beyond public titles, I see her role in E.J.’s life as a grounding one. She represents poise, service, and a strong public presence beyond athletics.
Siblings and Extended Family
E.J. belongs to a blended family with deep connections across sports, entertainment, and public life.
His younger full sister is Skylar Smith, born on October 15, 2003. She studies journalism at the University of Georgia and has become known for fashion, lifestyle content, and her experience as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader intern during the summers from 2022 through 2024.
His younger full brother is Elijah Alexander James Smith, born on September 22, 2010. He is active in youth sports and often appears at family events.
From his father, E.J. has an elder half-sister, Rheagen Smith, born November 2, 1998. A former relationship fathered Emmitt Smith’s daughter. After studying criminal justice and playing track and field and soccer at Texas A&M, Rheagen worked in clean energy.
His mother, Patricia Southall, had Jasmin Page Lawrence on January 15, 1996, from her previous marriage to Martin Lawrence. Jasmin worked in modeling and acting and received a Duke University Political Science degree. Her May 2025 marriage to Eric Murphy and April 2026 birth of their first child garnered notice.
E.J.’s paternal uncles are Erik, Emil, and Emory Smith. Emory played football for the Cowboys and NFL Europe. Emmitt James Smith II and Mary Clements Smith preceded him. His maternal grandparents were Henry M. and Mildred Page Brinkley Southall.
Education, Earnings, and Public Image
What stands out to me is that E.J. has consistently paired athletics with academics. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2023 from Stanford and then pursued a master’s in real estate at Texas A&M. That educational path gives his profile more depth than the simple label of celebrity athlete.
He has no publicly stated net worth. His career is only beginning. His alleged Chiefs contract guarantees $100,000 and may be worth $3.1 million over three years. His financial identity is still developing.
Publicly, he is often introduced through his family name, but his social media presence and media coverage also show a young athlete trying to build his own brand. His path has included flashes of promise, setbacks, persistence, and a new NFL opportunity.
FAQ
###[ Who are Emmitt Smith IV’s parents? ]
Emmitt Smith IV is the son of Emmitt James Smith III, the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, and Patricia Annette Southall Smith, a former Miss Virginia USA and philanthropist.
###[ What is Emmitt Smith IV’s nickname? ]
He is commonly known as E.J. Smith.
###[ Where was Emmitt Smith IV born? ]
He was born in Dallas, Texas, on May 15, 2002.
###[ What position does E.J. Smith play? ]
He plays running back.
###[ Which colleges did E.J. Smith attend? ]
He played at Stanford University from 2020 through 2023 and at Texas A&M from 2024 through 2025.
###[ What degrees has he earned? ]
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Innovation and Organization from Stanford in 2023 and later pursued a master’s degree in real estate at Texas A&M.
###[ What are his college football stats? ]
Across six college seasons, he recorded 207 carries for 969 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, plus 71 receptions for 470 yards and 1 receiving touchdown.
###[ Did Emmitt Smith IV get drafted into the NFL? ]
No. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
###[ Which NFL team signed him? ]
The Kansas City Chiefs signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 1, 2026.
###[ Who are Emmitt Smith IV’s siblings? ]
His full siblings are Skylar Smith and Elijah Alexander James Smith. He also has older half-sisters, Rheagen Smith on his father’s side and Jasmin Page Lawrence on his mother’s side.
