Taurean York, EJ Smith push each other ahead of NFL Draft

KATY, Texas – With signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers jerseys of Texas A&M legend Mike Evans hanging a few feet behind them, Taurean York and EJ Smith took turns doing pull-ups and sprints on a treadmill on a recent morning. 

After a few sets, they went outside to the artificial turf for some running drills before returning to another part of the gym for more upper-body work. Shirtless and sweaty, the former Texas A&M teammates listened to trainer Kerry Bennett’s instructions and pushed each other. 

One is a 23-year-old running back who arrived at Texas A&M in 2024 as a graduate student with a degree from Stanford. The other is a 20-year-old linebacker who was a three-year starter and two-year captain before declaring for the NFL Draft with a year of eligibility remaining. 

Now, they’re helping each other as they await their fate in next week’s NFL Draft. They each played crucial roles in 2025 while helping the Aggies reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. 

Leaving their mark on Texas A&M

Few loyal Texas A&M fans will ever forget Smith’s powerful second effort after he bounced off tight end Micah Riley to convert a crucial first down against Arkansas last October. Smith’s crucial touchdown against South Carolina helped the Aggies cut the surprising deficit before eventually pulling off the greatest comeback in Texas A&M football history. 

Many fans may not have noticed how crucial Smith was on special teams during KC Concepcion’s two electric punt returns for touchdowns – one against UTSA and another against LSU. Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, however, could hardly stop raving about Smith’s efforts.

York’s contributions to Texas A&M were a tad more obvious, considering he led the Aggies in tackles in two of his three seasons and finished second in tackles as a sophomore. Now, they’re pushing each other in hopes of establishing themselves in the NFL, where EJ’s father Emmitt Smith became a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest running backs of all time. 

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“We’re brothers,” EJ Smith said of his relationship with York. “So we always like to push each other. We want to see each other be great and do great things. When we talk, it’s all about being great and how we can be better players, better people. So it’s great to have somebody like that in my corner as well.”

The 5-foot-11, 211-pound Smith made the most of his 44 carries in 2025. He scored four touchdowns while rushing for 205 yards after rushing for 207 yards on 54 carries in 2024.

Crucial first down, touchdowns

When the Aggies needed a tough yard after starter Le’Veon Moss was hurt in 2025, Smith usually got the nod. He scored touchdowns in three consecutive games at the end of the SEC season against Missouri, South Carolina and Texas.

Equally important, perhaps, he brought professionalism and maturity to the Aggies. That mindset fit in well with York, who was the Aggies’ defensive leader almost from the first game of his freshman season. 

Despite playing on opposite sides of the football, Smith and York connected easily at A&M. 

“E.J. is a real brother of mine,” York said. “We’re on the same wave length. He’s a little bit older than me, but I look at myself as a mature thinker. I found the right guy to work out with. I found the right trainer to work out with. 

“Man, I am blessed to be around great people. I really value being around good people. Without that, I’m nothing without a great support system.”