In the age of increased dependence on the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness, college football rosters are turning over faster than a Scandinavian sunbather. It was certainly the case at Ohio State with 51 new faces this fall, and it is the new way to build a roster quickly (just ask Curt Cignetti and Indiana).
Because of all the changes to rosters, it’s really tough to figure out which teams and players are going to really impact their teams and seasons, so making lists of players to watch can be awfully difficult. However, that didn’t stop Fox Sports. No, instead, Michael Cohen tried to peer into the murky crystal ball and predict the top ten breakout candidates across college football this fall, and yes, there is one Ohio State player listed.
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Of the top ten, Cohen believes Florida State safety transfer Earl Little Jr. has what it takes to make a splash on the banks of the Olentangy.
“Having added just 32 transfers over the previous four offseasons combined — a reflection, in part, of the resources Ohio State poured into player retention — head coach Ryan Day added 17 new players to compile the sport’s seventh-best portal class overall, trailing only Penn State in the Big Ten,” wrote Cohen. “At least five of those newcomers are expected to be plug-and-play starters for a defense that lost seven players to the NFL Draft following an incredible first season under coordinator Matt Patricia. No absence will loom larger than that of safety Caleb Downs, a two-time unanimous All-American and eventual first-round pick.
“Even though the Seminoles finished below .500 each of the last two years, Little blossomed into an effective Swiss Army Knife in the secondary. His snap count for 2026 was split between free safety (376), box safety (226), and slot corner (65), which makes Little a potential candidate to fill Downs’ roving role. Little did miss the tail end of spring practice while undergoing a minor knee procedure.
“That’s where Little, the son of former NFL safety Earl Little, enters the mix for Ohio State after earning second-team All-ACC honors last season. Originally a four-star prospect in the 2022 class, Little signed with Alabama after taking additional official visits to USC, Florida State, and Oregon. He made just eight appearances in two seasons for the Crimson Tide before entering the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 campaign, ultimately landing at Florida State.”
If you’ve heard any of the praises and sound bites coming from spring ball, there’s reason to believe Cohen is onto something here. According to Ohio State players and coaches, Little — though hard to replace Downs — is a big-hitting safety who has acclimated himself well, shown big-play ability, and will be a key piece of the defense, much like Downs was.
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We won’t really know until the season kicks off, but it does feel like Little may have a huge impact this fall. Do see the other nine breakout candidates Cohen identified for the 2026 season, feel free to visit his piece on FoxSports.com.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State newcomer listed as 2026 breakout candidate by Fox Sports
