Believe it now... Defensive back Earl Little Jr. is a star in this FSU defense

Earl Little Jr. is the truth on this Seminoles' defense for 2025.
Aug 30, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Richard Young (9) runs with the ball against Florida State Seminoles defensive back Earl Little Jr. (0) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Richard Young (9) runs with the ball against Florida State Seminoles defensive back Earl Little Jr. (0) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | Melina Myers-Imagn Images

FSU FOOTBALL

Florida State football won the season opener versus Alabama by a score of 31-17. This sent shock waves through the country as many thought that the Crimson Tide would roll through the Seminoles (thanks, Paul Finebaum, for the encouragement).

With forty-four new transfers and recruits added to the roster, the expectation was that the team would be much improved from 2-10, but fans didn't know what to expect.

One player that I was so excited about last offseason was former Alabama defensive back Earl Little Jr. He was a former high four-star prospect that the Seminoles recruited heavily out of high school. Little Jr. started his career at Florida State playing the cornerback position, but midway through the season switched to safety.

EARL LITTLE JR.

I thought the former Alabama transfer was going to be a star in the Seminoles' defense in 2024, but I guess I was a year too early. Defensive coordinator Tony White had his defensive unit playing with their hair on fire.

I know that the fan base wants to highlight new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn after the offense moved it with ease versus Alabama on Saturday afternoon, but Coach White deserves his flowers, too.

To be honest, Earl Little Jr. got his revenge against his former team (Alabama), where he recorded a team-high nine tackles in the victory. The defensive back talked about the victory on Twitter (X) Saturday night.

This was a defense that was more physical than Alabama's. Earl Little Jr. talked all offseason about how his physicality set the tone in practice. The hype was real as the former American Heritage High School standout brought a sense of aggressiveness on every snap, where it even made the Crimson Tide "quit".

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