One of the more noteworthy recruits of this class was former Florida legend Emmitt Smith’s son, E.J., an athlete from the Dallas, Texas area (Jesuit).

The younger Smith picked Stanford over the likes of Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M and Ohio State. E.J. Smith made the announcement on ESPN2 sitting at a table between his parents.

Smith said Stanford has a great football program, and also great academic program.

“That was kind of a factor in it,” Smith. “I loved all these schools that have given me the opportunity to come in and play at their school, but I felt that Stanford was the best opportunity for me.”

Smith is ranked the No. 3 all-purpose player in the country by the 247Sports Composite, and the No. 23 player in Texas. The 5-foot-11 and 199-pounder had a reported 22 offers.

The ESPN2 coverage showed a picture of the two Smiths watching football game film together, and he was asked about what his father taught him.

“He just told me to take my time with it, just going through film every day and working hard every day, whatever you put into it, you’ll get returned back,” he said.

The Hall of Famer later picked up the Florida Gators hat and said he would wear it.

“His daddy went here, that doesn’t mean my son has to go there,” Emmitt Smith said. “For him to do the best for him is what we teach all our kids. … I’m a Gator, he’s still a Gator because he’s in my family.”

Here are his highlights from Hudl:

Here are other highlights from DFW Inside High School Sports: