Florida's greatest running back — broke SEC records before becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher.
Emmitt James Smith III was born in Pensacola, Florida in 1969. He attended the University of Florida under coach Galen Hall and Steve Spurrier and broke multiple SEC rushing records. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry across three seasons. He set the Florida record for rushing yards with 1,341 in a single season and broke the SEC record for most 100-yard games in a career. He was an All-SEC selection three times. He left after his junior season. Dallas Cowboys selected him 17th overall in the 1990 NFL Draft — a pick considered a slight reach at the time. He went on to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 career yards — surpassing Walter Payton's record in 2002. He won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys. His Florida career was the foundation of what became the greatest rushing total in NFL history — the patient, vision-based running style that produced the NFL record was developed in Spurrier's early system at Gainesville. His decision to leave after his junior year — debated at the time — accelerated a professional career that produced historical records.
SEC rushing records
Career Honours
- SEC rushing records
- All-SEC 3x
- Gator Bowl MVP
- All-American consideration