The Ohio State Buckeyes are replacing a massive amount of talent from last year’s 12-0 regular season squad, and the secondary is one spot where the most ground may need to be made up. Ohio State lost All-American safety Caleb Downs to the NFL, along with Davison Igbinosun and Lorenzo Styles, leaving significant holes in the defensive backfield. The Buckeyes addressed the need through the transfer portal, and one of those additions is already turning heads. 

Ohio State team captain and wide receiver Brandon Inniss recently pointed out former Florida State safety Earl Little Jr. as a defender who deserves more attention heading into the fall.

“Earl Little Jr. is gonna have a great year,” Inniss said via the Austin & Birm Show. “He’s gonna kind of fill that Caleb role with Jaylen and that, but I think he’s gonna have a great year. I see him in here all the time when I come back, and I can see it inside [him].”

Like we played together in high school, and I’m not just saying that because we play together, but I just see that because I can see how much he put the work in, so I would say Earl for sure.”

Earl Little Jr. brings experience Ohio State needs

Little has the potential to fill the nickel role for Ohio State’s defense, and that’s where he lined up for much of the spring. With Jaylen McClain expected to be a force at safety, Little gives the Buckeyes a secondary piece with proven production and versatility.

247Sports ranked Little as the No. 69 player in the transfer portal and the No. 6 safety available. His final season at Florida State showed why. Little played in 12 games, registering 76 tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles. That kind of stat line reflects a player who can do multiple things for a defense and consistently shows up on the field.

Little’s winding path to Columbus

Little’s college career started at Alabama, where he spent two seasons but played in just 11 games and recorded only two tackles with the Crimson Tide. A move to Florida State changed everything. The 2025 season was his first as a full-time starter, and he took full advantage of the opportunity.

Now in his fifth and final year of college football, Little lands at Ohio State with a chance to make an immediate impact. The Buckeyes lost north of 30 players to the transfer portal this offseason and saw 11 players hear their names called in the 2026 NFL Draft. Few of those departures stung more than losing Downs, who established himself as one of the best safeties in college football.

Ohio State needed experienced pieces in the secondary, and Little fits the bill. If his production at Florida State carries over to Columbus, the Buckeyes will have found a key contributor at a position of need. This fall will be telling.