Alabama football signed four defensive backs in its 2022 recruiting class.
Three will arrive on the University of Alabama’s campus in the summer, including the son of a former NFL player.
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Earl Little Jr., a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is another talented player from the sunshine state. Alabama pulled Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, and Jerry Jeudy from Florida as wide receivers. All three became 1,000-yard targets and helped the Crimson Tide to national championships. Javier Arenas, Eddie Jackson, Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix, and Patrick Surtain II hailed from Florida, and they were successful defensive backs. Little is in good company, but he is working to create his name in Tuscaloosa.
His father, Earl Little Sr., played nine years in the National Football League.
He spent two seasons with the Saints, six with the Browns, and one with the Packers. Little has trained his son to become an elite playmaker. After his father, Little had another NFL influence as his high school head coach. Patrick Surtain, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, coached at American Heritage High School from 2016 to 2021. He helped groom Little to become a four-star athlete. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has been crafting his footwork, eye control, speed, and ball skills before he gets on campus.
No dayz off. Almost that time to head up. 2 more weeks! #EJr2 aka #TheSTANDARD. 🐘🥋 #TMC 🏁 pic.twitter.com/X5aBSowKq9
— Earl Little Sr. (@Earl20201) May 11, 2022
Little has gotten compared to Patrick Surtain II and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Both became first-round picks for the Crimson Tide. We will see how quickly can Little make an impact in the summer.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
