FSU football: Top 15 most important defensive players for 2024 season
By Kelvin Hunt
No. 9 Earl Little Jr-DB
FSU will have two of the better cornerbacks in the nation, with AZ Thomas and Fentrell Cypress. However, the nickel corner position is important in Adam Fuller's defense. It's the role filled by Jarrian Jones last year, which saw him morph into a third-round selection in the 2024 FL Draft. That position will likely be filled by Alabama transfer Earl Little Jr. Little Jr's arrival helped push Greedy Vance to the transfer portal, and Vance was an experienced player in FSU's defense. Earl Little is supremely talented and can have a similar impact to Jones.
FSU will run a ton of 4-2-5 against teams with spread offenses, which gets Little Jr. on the field. He'll be valuable against guys in the slot, as was Jones last year when he negated several top receivers from opposing offenses. Little Jr.'s also big enough to be effective in the run game when needed if teams try to play bully ball.