Earl Little Jr. transitioned from a reserve in Alabama to a starter who defeated them with FSU. In the 2025 season opener, he played a big role in the Seminoles’ 31-17 win. He had his revenge and announced his arrival in style. This season has been exceptionally good for the DB as he has become one of the mainstays in FSU’s defense while bagging some lucrative NIL deals. But he has had his own challenges, which he had to overcome to find all this success.

In Alabama, his time was limited because of shoulder injuries, including a torn labrum. But the American Heritage High School alum has proved the doubters wrong during his stay with FSU. A four-star recruit, he got scholarship offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida, Florida State, and Miami, but he chose Alabama. He spent two years as a reserve in Alabama, scoring 2 tackles in 11 games. But things changed when he transferred to the Seminoles, even financially.

Earl Little Jr.’s Contract

He doesn’t have one in the traditional sense of contracts, but he is likely to have two more years with the Seminoles. As a redshirt junior, he has a few more years of eligibility to play. He spent his first year with the Seminole on the bench, as he got to play in a limited capacity and was adapting to the style of play in FSU. His struggles have borne fruit as his stellar performance this season has helped him bag some amazing NIL deals.

“No, honestly, I never had no doubt cuz I always knew what I could do. Know what I’m saying?… It brought me to this point. You know, I’m thankful for all the opportunities, you know, that have been presented to me, and I’m thankful for, you know, everything that’s coming in the future,” he said.

He has recorded 57 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions so far. This is a big leap from the 17 tackles and 1 interception he had accumulated before FSU. His performance against Alabama stood out as he recorded 9 tackles (4 solo, 5 assists) in the game.

What is Earl Little Jr.’s salary?

Earl Little Jr. does not receive a traditional salary from Florida State. Instead, his income derives entirely from NIL opportunities and the revenue-sharing model of the university’s athletic department. Since 2024, he has been signed with The Battle End’s collective. Even though his estimated 2025 earnings are not public, the projections look good.

As per the Top 100 list of FSU athletes of all sports, Earl Little Jr. holds a solid #56 rank. Plus, for any help and better understanding, he has his father, Earl Little, who excelled both in college and the NFL. He was a former DB who played for the Miami Hurricanes and is a nine-year NFL veteran.

“He’s played at both the collegiate and professional levels, and he’s always in my back pocket, giving me tips, tricks, and knowledge on how to handle myself both on and off the field,” Little Jr said. “It’s been a blessing, and I couldn’t have asked anybody else better him to do it.” The current FSU athlete has gone and made a name for himself in the NIL space.

Earl Little Jr’s NIL Sponsors

Earl Little Jr. is part of the NIL collective for FSU players called the Battle’s End. There were previous reports that he also signed with Jay Z’s talent management company Roc Nation in 2022. This, along with the Popeye deal he signed in September 2025, completes the lineup for his NIL sponsors. The FSU star was over the moon after the deal.

“This is a surreal feeling being able to partner up with Popeyes,” Little told the Tallahassee Democrat. “This is something that I’ve been thinking about ever since I was a kid going and eating that Popeyes when I was younger. Just having this opportunity has been great, and I’m ready for it, and I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Popeye signed him as part of their initiative to target 10 college football players who emerged from backup to starting roles in 2025. All these partnerships, along with his growing social media popularity, continue to open endless opportunities for him.