Florida State football finished the 2025 season with a 5-7 record. The year started so promisingly with beating the Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 31-17. Then the Seminoles stumbled down the stretch, losing seven of the last nine games.
Head football coach Mike Norvell and the squad want to be competing for championships, which should be the standard of this program. The last two seasons have been a disaster, which has caused frustration amongst the fan base.
The Florida State versus Alabama contest was shocking to most individuals. There was even ESPN's Paul Finebaum, who thought the matchup would be a blowout since the Crimson Tide was in the "glorious" SEC.
Earl Little Jr. could be going to the Big Ten with a recent crystal ball prediction
Florida State had success against Alabama due to its physicality and aggression on defense. The fan base didn't think that Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams would struggle as much as he did against the Seminoles.
That was because of safety Earl Little Jr. playing out of his mind. The former Alabama defensive back was someone that defensive coordinator Tony White was high on, and even referred to Little Jr. as "Him". Being in the Rover position (hybrid safety and linebacker), it was a perfect role for the defender.
This offseason has been filled with disappointment as the program has dealt with many departures within the transfer portal. I realize that many teams are having to manage their roster, but Florida State players are dropping like flies.
It was big news that defensive back Earl Little Jr. announced that he would be entering the NFL Draft, which some fans thought that he would not make him a high draft pick and would benefit from returning to the Seminoles in 2026.
The defender then reviewed his draft stock and announced that he would instead enter the transfer portal. This was a bummer for the Florida State defender. On3's Pete Nakos predicted that Little Jr. would transfer to Ohio State on Saturday.
Ohio State has received a prediction to land former Florida State starting safety Earl Little Jr.
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) January 11, 2026
A member of the 2022 recruiting class, the 22-year-old previously played at Alabama and is ranked as the No. 7 available safety in the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/slZrIH2Bqb
While the Buckeyes don't have a direct relation with playing Florida State, it still stings that the Seminoles could lose Little Jr. When the defender was all-in with his game, he was a productive piece in the defense. Florida State has lost a lot in its defense for 2026, and it would have been beneficial to keep Little Jr.