Earl Little Jr. Turning Heads at Seminoles Fall Camp: Former Alabama DB Impresses Mike Norvell as FSU Fans Hope
Fall camp in Tallahassee has been buzzing with optimism, intensity, and the weight of expectations. Coming off a resurgent season that re-established Florida State University as a legitimate national contender, head coach Mike Norvell entered this year’s preseason with a clear mission: sharpen the edge, maintain the culture, and reload the roster with championship-caliber talent. Amidst the heat, sweat, and grind of August practices, one name has consistently stood out—Earl Little Jr.
The former Alabama defensive back has made a seamless transition to the Seminoles’ secondary, turning heads with his athleticism, football IQ, and tenacity. A product of South Florida’s elite high school pipeline and a legacy of NFL pedigree—his father, Earl Little Sr., played nine seasons in the league—Little Jr. arrived at FSU with both a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. So far, he’s exceeded expectations.
“I’ve coached a lot of talented guys,” said Norvell after a recent closed practice session, “but what stands out about Earl is how quickly he’s bought in. He’s locked in every day. He competes. He absorbs. And he makes plays.”
The buzz surrounding Little’s performance has swept across Seminole Nation, as fans and analysts alike begin to consider the impact he might have on a defense already stacked with experience and hungry for dominance. His emergence has not only redefined the depth chart but also added a new layer of swagger to a defensive backfield known for producing elite talent.
But to fully understand how Little arrived at this moment, it’s important to trace the path that brought him to Tallahassee.
Coming out of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida, Earl Little Jr. was a coveted four-star prospect and one of the top cornerbacks in the nation. He ultimately chose Alabama over a host of other blue-blood programs, drawn to the Crimson Tide’s storied history of developing defensive backs and placing them in the NFL. At Alabama, he found himself in a crowded and hyper-competitive room—one where five-stars sit, wait, and fight for their chance.
Though he flashed potential during his time in Tuscaloosa, injuries and limited reps kept him from carving out a consistent role. The coaching change following Nick Saban’s retirement further altered the program’s trajectory, leading several players to reevaluate their futures. For Little, the decision to enter the transfer portal was as much about finding the right fit as it was about playing time.
“I needed a place where I could be developed, but also where I could just play freely,” Little said in a post-practice media availability. “FSU gave me that vibe from the jump. Coach Norvell was real with me. He didn’t promise anything—he told me I’d have to earn it. That’s all I ever wanted.”
It didn’t take long for Little to make his presence felt. Within the first week of fall camp, he was already taking reps with the first team defense, rotating between corner and nickel, showing his versatility in both man and zone coverage. His instincts are advanced. He closes gaps quickly, communicates with veteran clarity, and plays with a physical edge that belies his relatively slim frame.
“He’s always around the ball,” said defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr.—himself a former NFL Pro Bowler and South Florida coaching legend. “Earl’s understanding of route concepts and spacing is impressive. He’s not just reacting—he’s anticipating. That’s what separates good DBs from great ones.”
Little’s emergence couldn’t come at a better time for the Seminoles, who lost several key defensive contributors to the NFL and graduation. While the defensive line remains formidable and the linebacker corps returns significant experience, the secondary had question marks entering camp. Those questions are quickly being answered.
What makes Little such an intriguing asset is his ability to slide between multiple roles. In today’s game, where hybrid offensive schemes challenge defenses to adapt on the fly, having a player who can cover a slot receiver on one down and then shift outside to blanket a boundary threat on the next is invaluable. It also gives Norvell and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller more flexibility in disguising coverages and generating pressure without compromising coverage integrity.
“He’s one of those guys you trust to handle different situations,” Fuller said. “You don’t have to scheme around him—you can scheme with him.”
Little’s confidence has grown with every rep. Teammates speak highly of his work ethic and competitiveness, noting that he’s often one of the last players off the field, reviewing film on his iPad or running through footwork drills with younger DBs. Off the field, he carries himself with a quiet intensity—a blend of humility and hunger that reflects both his upbringing and his desire to fulfill the promise many saw in him coming out of high school.
It helps that he has mentors with deep football roots. Earl Little Sr. remains a constant source of guidance, often attending practices and offering insight not just as a father, but as a former pro who understands the grind.
“My dad always tells me—‘respect the process, don’t cheat it,’” Little Jr. said. “He knows what it takes, and he reminds me every day that nothing is handed to you.”
Florida State fans, known for their passionate engagement and high expectations, have taken notice. Social media is flooded with clips of Little breaking up passes, sticking to receivers in tight coverage, and showing the kind of fire that fans in Tallahassee live for. Message boards are alight with speculation about how high his ceiling could be, with some already predicting he could be a breakout star in the ACC this season.
The buzz has even caught the attention of national outlets. Analysts have begun circling his name as a player to watch, with some draft experts noting that if Little continues this trajectory, he could vault into the NFL conversation sooner than expected.
Still, both player and coaches are careful to temper the hype.
“It’s camp. Nobody’s made a tackle on Saturday yet,” Norvell said, reminding reporters that the real test will come under the lights. “But if Earl keeps stacking days the way he has been, he’s going to help us in a big way.”
The Seminoles are aiming for more than just another strong season. They want a College Football Playoff berth. They want a title. And if those goals are to be realized, they’ll need players like Earl Little Jr. to not just contribute, but lead.
That leadership has already started to emerge. During a recent scrimmage, after a miscommunication in the secondary led to a blown coverage and a big gain, Little gathered the defensive backs on the sideline. Animated but composed, he walked them through the mistake, pointed out alignment issues, and refocused the group.
“That’s what dogs do,” said veteran safety Shyheim Brown. “He’s new, but he’s already acting like he’s been here. That’s respect.”
For Little, the opportunity at Florida State is about redemption and reinvention. It’s about proving to himself—and everyone else—that the talent he showed as a high school phenom was never a fluke. It was a preview.
And now, in garnet and gold, that preview is becoming reality.
There are still hurdles to clear, games to win, and adversity to face. But as fall camp marches forward, one thing has become abundantly clear to those inside and outside the program:
Earl Little Jr. is not just here to fill a role—he’s here to make a statement.
And if the early signs are any indication, it’s a statement the rest of college football will hear loud and clear.
