Hall of Fame
Position: Running Back
Years: 1987-1989
Place of Birth: Pensacola, FL
Date of Birth: May 15, 1969
Jersey Number: 22
Height: 5-10
Weight: 201
High School: Pensacoloa, FL (Escambia HS)
Emmitt Smith came to the University of Florida as the national player of the year, scoring 109 touchdowns in high school. He became an instant sensation as a freshman. In his first game he broke the school single-game rushing mark in an upset of Alabama. He gained 1,341 yards as a freshman, and finished ninth in the Heisman voting. His top-ten finish was only the second time a freshman had broken into the top ten. He also earned national freshman of the year honors that initial season. Smith was not the biggest or fastest of backs. But coaches marveled at the way his vision, balance, and instincts allowed him to gain the extra yard or two more often than would reasonably be expected. In his 1989 junior season he finished third in the nation in rushing, was a near-unanimous All-America selection and placed seventh in the Heisman vote. In three years he set 58 school records rushing for 3,928 yards, scoring 36 touchdowns and earning SEC Player of the Year honors. He then entered the NFL draft and was the first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys. After 15 pro seasons, he was the games? all-time leading rusher scoring 164 touchdowns and was a member of three NFL title teams. Despite leaving Florida after his junior year, he went back to school while with the Cowboys and earned his degree. In retirement, he devotes much of his time to a number of charitable causes.
