Between a new defensive scheme and injuries to a few key players, opportunities are abundant for veterans and younger defensive backs to show what they can offer Florida State this spring.

“We're plenty big, athletic, strong, twitchy, fast, explosive — all the things you want to use,” defensive coordinator Tony White said on Saturday. “All the adjectives that you want to use. My deal is that you play football, that you put it on the grass.

“What good is jumping 40 inches if you don't do it when you lose every jump ball? Or you run 4.4 and you’re letting guys beat you to the football in pursuit. So it was really good to watch them just go out there and play.”

FSU’s defensive back group is going through a spring of change. Starting corners AZ Thomas and Fentrell Cypress are pursuing their NFL opportunities, while safeties Shyheim Brown and Conrad Hussey are out for the spring due to injury. Edwin Joseph was also added to the list of injuries a few days into practice.

Doors have opened up across the secondary. One of the names that has popped up often is Earl Little Jr. The Alabama transfer has played a few different spots at FSU, including a shift from nickel corner to safety at midseason in 2024, but he has now settled in at rover.

“Making that transition to rover, I feel like that was the right thing to do for me and most importantly the team,” Little Jr. said. “Create that success on the defensive side of the ball. Me being the versatile dude, being able to come down in coverage, play the run, be the run fit. Playing in the deep part of the field, sideline to sideline, I feel that was a vital role. I’m ready to pursue it.”

That pursuit, quite literally in the case of the FSU defense, was evident in Saturday’s scrimmage. After a long pass play by the Seminoles, one that appeared to be a touchdown, linebacker Elijah Herring raced to make a tackle at the 10-yard line.

On the next play, Little Jr. had an interception and returned it for a touchdown.

“Earl has made some of the biggest hits and made some of the biggest plays all camp,” White said. “He is him. He is truly him back there. And it’s fun to watch, the things you can do with him.”

Little Jr. probably expected to achieve more individually and as a team in his first year. But Little Jr. had 15 tackles, a sack and took home the honor of special teams newcomer of the year in 2024.

He returned to FSU, committing to the new opportunity and defensive coaches. Little Jr. said last week that he never really contemplated a transfer. “I just wanted to help bring the program back to what it is and what it used to be,” Little Jr. said.

In his first year, Little Jr. showed toughness and physicality with an 82.0 tackling grade by PFF on 179 snaps. It’s a tone that Little Jr. has set throughout the spring.

“Me bringing that physicality to the game, I feel like guys around me see that and I feel like they’re able to see that and stack on that,” Little Jr. said. “Add that segment to their game, being physical. Me bringing that to the table, it sets the standard around the guys, especially with the DB corps.”

Little Jr.’s name keeps popping up in interviews with FSU’s coaches this spring, as well as Quindarrius Jones, Ja’Bril Rawls and Cai Bates. Jones earned the most extensive experience last fall (256 snaps), while Rawls (137 snaps) and Bates played here and there as reserves.

Rawls in particular looks the part and has filled out to 185 pounds as he prepares for his redshirt sophomore season. When he signed, Rawls was announced at 170 pounds.

“I wouldn’t say it was an easy road my first two years here but definitely I kept my head up, continued to grind, put my faith in God and let Him do the rest,” Rawls said.

While he played in 11 games, Rawls had 14 tackles — with seven coming against FCS Charleston Southern in late November. And Rawls can’t be considered a young guy, even if he’s light on snap count across his first two years at FSU. He’s making plays like a comfortable veteran.

“I say every day I got my hands on the ball,” Rawls said. “This defense gives us more opportunities to get our eyes on the quarterback and react, just use our athletic, God-given talent.”

From White’s perspective, there’s not a shortage on talent in the defensive back group. He’s seeing the Seminoles take on a mindset that they will give up plays but also move on to the next one, and use it as a chance to create some pass break-ups or turnovers.

“I think the more Earl makes plays, the more Ja’Bril sees that and makes plays himself,” White said. “And the more Earl makes plays, and the more Ja’bril makes plays, the more Q (Quindarrius Jones) is starting to believe in making plays.

“And the belief is hitting on every one of them like that. You know what I mean? It’s just part of the process, right? It’s just the belief in what we’re doing, how we’re doing it.”

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