Interview: 4-Star 2022 Florida Standout Earl Little Jr. is That Do-Everything Defensive Back
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
With Spread offenses covering the landscape of college and high school football, the need for versatile defenders on the gridiron is at a premium. Recruits that can cover receivers, slots, and tight ends while playing in space and in the box against the run with an eye on dual-threats are not easy to come by, that’s why college programs have fallen in love with Class of 2022 defensive back Earl Little Jr.
Raw, instinctive, fast, strong, and determined, just a few of the traits Little brings to the field for American Heritage. The 6-0, 175-pound, defender was that utility player in the Patriots’ secondary a year ago lining up at safety, nickel, and corner racking up 37 stops, 21 solo, with two tackles for a loss, a fumble recovery, and took away four passes. The productivity against 5A Florida squads earned Little four-star recruiting status and 28 scholarship offers.
Those offers are sure to draw some new friends once the 2020 season kicks off for American Heritage on Sept. 18 against Chaminade-Madonna. To cover the upcoming season, summer workouts, and recruiting, Little stopped by the RNG Lab for a detailed conversation.
Interview
Earl, you have some wheels on you. You were able to showcase that speed and burst last season on defense and on special teams. The big question, how fast are you?
I have not run a 40 in two years, but I’d say I am around a 4.5.
Not only are you fast, but there is a headiness to your play on defense. You read and react quickly, is that instincts and/or weekly game preparation coming into play?
That is me playing football. I do not think too much on the field, our coaches set it up that way. That is me reacting and my instincts.
You were a jack of all trades in the secondary covering and coming up in run support. Where were you lining up and what were your roles within the defense?
Some games I played safety, some at nickel, and some I was at corner. I was everywhere last season but for the most part I was at nickel. My coaches wanted me close to the ball, in the box with the linebacker in run support.
The speed, football IQ, and nose for the football resulted in four picks last season, one returned for a touchdown. After thieving all those passes, are there certain towns in Florida you are no longer allowed to go into?
(Laughs) Yes.
You had a great season back there, when the season ended, what did you feel were your strengths on defense?
What I know about myself, I am a physical player who likes to use his hands and is not afraid to make plays or mistakes. I am a ballhawk. When the ball is in the air, it is mine. That is my take on my game.
Where are you lining up on the field this season?
You will see me on special teams and on defense on punt return, a gunner on punts flying down the field, kickoff, kickoff return, but not returning kickoffs, we have threats back there already.
What style of defense are you guys playing this season?
We are running a 4-3 with nickel and dime packages.
What have you been focused on with your game over the offseason?
To be honest, working on my eyes, my three-step read, and all the little things like my feet and hips, and my speed of course. That is pretty much it – oh, and my press technique on the line.
When did the Patriots start fall camp?
We started about two months ago.
So, you guys have been at it for a while. Where are you seeing the improvements in your game this fall?
Increased speed, I know that for a fact. I am also bigger and stronger from hitting the weight room.
How is the team looking overall?
We are looking great. We have a young quarterback, he has been doing well, we have a phenomenal defense, and we have threats on offense. This season, we are looking tight.
You guys open the season on Friday, Sept. 18, against No. 6 ranked (MaxPreps) Chaminade-Madonna High School, what kind of game are you expecting from the Lions’ offense?
They have a big-time running back they will be feeding him. They did that when we played them last year too.
I watched your reel on that game, you had some big plays in there, chopping one of the running backs down.
Yeah, that’s him.
Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing recruiting interest as the season is about to start?
Clemson, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Notre Dame.
How many offers have been dropped?
I have 28 offers.
Nice. Which programs were the last couple to offer?
Michigan State, Oregon, and USC, those are the last three.
Little’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona State, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, LSU, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, NC State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Southern Miss, Syracuse, Tennessee, Toledo, USC, Utah, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia
Did you get to take any virtual visits this summer?
Yes, I took one with Oregon.
That’s cool. How was that visit?
It was pretty cool.
If the campuses were opened next weekend, are there any visits you’d like to take?
The schools I’d like to visit, Miami would be in there, they are in my backyard, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, FSU, and Florida.
Earl, it was great covering ground with you today. Thanks for your time and good luck with the 2020 season until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Little family; Earl Little Jr.