Senior defensive back Earl Little Jr. hasn’t been a Buckeye for a long time, but he has already made an impression on his head coach, Ryan Day, and teammate Jeremiah Smith.
“He plays fast, plays twitchy, communicates well,” Ryan Day said of Little on Tuesday. “Did a great job in the weight room with (strength and conditioning coach Mick Marotti). So, all of those things you could just see naturally as he went into the spring. You felt like this was going to go well. Then you start to see his play on the field. First time we’re tackling and scrimmaging, he’s the first guy showing up, making tackles and making plays, and just jumped off the screen right out of the gate. So, good for him.”
Little transferred to Ohio State last year from Florida State after earning All-ACC second-team honors. Although his team struggled and went just 5-7, Little had a breakthrough season, recording 76 total tackles, two forced fumbles and four interceptions.
Unlike many transfers, Little, who started his collegiate career at Alabama, didn’t walk into a locker room full of complete strangers. Day said Little’s roots as a South Florida native and a former member of the Crimson Tide have helped him adjust off the field.
“The guys know him. (Rising senior receiver) Brandon (Inniss) sort of grew up with him. Jeremiah, some of the South Florida guys know Earl. And then obviously the Bama guys know Earl from when he was there. I think he quickly assimilated socially with the guys.”
Little has performed on the field as well. The former Seminole was one of the first two Buckeyes to have his black stripe removed this spring. Little became an “official” member of the team on March 28, the same day that Smith praised him after an Ohio State practice.
“He’s going to hit,” Smith said. “He’s going to make plays, he’s going to be very special for us.”
Little’s position remains somewhat of a mystery. At Florida State, Little primarily played safety, but rising junior Jaylen McClain and former Duke transfer Terry Moore may occupy those positions in 2026.
Many have projected that Little will fill in as Ohio State’s nickel cornerback, but his athleticism should allow him to play a variety of positions, much like star defenders Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese did for last year’s team.
Regardless of what position he ends up playing, it seems like a certainty that Little will make some sort of impact for the Buckeyes.
“He’s somebody who saw what he did last year and I think really liked the scheme part of it. But I’ll have to talk with him,” Day said. “The feedback we’re getting from him is that he really enjoys the culture, loves the competitiveness. He’s been a bright spot.”
