Ohio State Buckeyes DB transfer Earl Little Jr. made waves with recent comments comparing the competitiveness in Columbus to his very first stop with the Alabama Crimson Tide during his freshman year in 2023 under Nick Saban. Per Little, "Literally with everything you‘re doing at Ohio State, you’re gonna compete, and you have to be your best every single day."
Bama Hammer's John Mitchell was insulted at the insinuation that there wasn't competition in Tuscaloosa, and implied that Little transferred to the Florida State Seminoles in January 2024 because he, not Saban, was the problem.
"Little hasn't played for Alabama since 2023, but he still can't help talking about the Crimson Tide, for whatever reason. He spent the last two years at Florida State before moving on to Ohio State this offseason. Why not say what you said about the Seminoles? That would be a lot more believable, seeing the results on the field for Mike Norvell and FSU in the two years you played there," Mitchell prefaced before rhetorically asking, "Instead, you want to make that comment about Alabama during the NICK SABAN years?
"What's more likely, I ask you, dear reader: that Alabama didn't compete hard in the weight room under Saban and won six national championships anyway, or Little himself was the problem and HE didn't work hard on or off the field and that's why he sat on Alabama's bench for two years before tucking tail and running to Tallahassee? Certainly something to ponder."
Ryan Day hints Earl Little Jr. could be Ohio State's new Caleb Downs
While Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day doesn't feel NFL draft first-round-bound Caleb Downs can be replaced by any one player, he did mention Little as a player who is picking up the slack so far in spring practice.
"Earl has been doing a great job of really communicating back there." Day said while discussing who in the secondary could step up in Downs' stead.
From the sounds of it, Day and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will be benefiting from yet another Saban-recruited DB who decided Alabama was no longer the place to be once Kalen DeBoer took the head coaching reins over two years ago.
As the Crimson Tide continues to fade from their former role as the sport's preeminent superpower, and Ohio State continues to come closest to their spot on top of the totem pole, expect more Alabama crashouts. Especially if Little plays his best football in central Ohio like Downs did.