Earl Little Jr., a rising defensive standout at Florida State, has a family legacy. The redshirt junior has transformed from a promising recruit at Alabama into one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the ACC. Little, who is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 193 pounds, brings more than just physical strength on the field.

His story started long before he entered Doak Campbell Stadium. Patience and resilience have defined every stage of Little’s path, from lockdown high school performances at American Heritage to overcoming shoulder injuries at Alabama to now leading Florida State’s secondary with an unshakable dedication. Making that transition to Rover,” I feel like that was the right thing to do for me individually and most importantly, for the team, to create that success on the defensive side of the ball,” he said. But to understand the son, you first have to meet the dad.

Who is Earl Little Jr.’s father, Earl Little Sr?

Earl Little Sr. was a star safety at the University of Miami in the mid-1990s before going on a nine-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers. Apart from his playing career, the 52-year-old’s resume includes his years-long stints as a defensive coordinator at Cypress Bay, Cooper City, Miami Central and Miami Dr. Krop High Schools. As a player himself, he served as his son’s mentor.

Little Jr. stated, “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.” That impact goes beyond just game strategies. From Pop Warner grounds to the national signing day, Sr. was present at every turn.

“It’s a blessing to see your child go out there and earn it and not just get it because of his last name,” Earl Sr. reflected on his son’ development. That pride is shared by both parents, who have instilled the hard work and patience in him.

Who is Earl Little Jr.’s mother, Jessie Little?

Behind every star athlete, there’s a quiet support system backing them up, and for Earl Jr., that force is his mom, Jessie Little. A Florida International University alumna means the athletic genes in Earl Little Jr. run from both sides of the family. Apart from that, no other information about her is available on the public platform.

“I always told his mom when he was little, I’d say he’s special. Just watching him run…Seeing him go up, he caught this one pass over two kids…an unbelievable catch when he was 10-years old,” he recalls telling his wife. “The kid works his a– off,” Little Sr. stated. “There is nobody that works harder than him.” His dad can vouch for his hard work more than anyone.

What ethnicity are Earl Little Jr.’s parents?

The Littles are American nationals. Both Earl Sr. and Jessie Little hail from Florida, a state that’s been a breeding ground for football talent. While there is no public information available about their ethnicity, what’s clear is that their cultural roots shaped the man Earl Jr. has become.

As he once said while reflecting on his journey, “Just really to stay working hard and don’t get too big-headed. Work hard in the weight room, in the classroom and this’ll all work itself out.” That humility and dedication echo his upbringing.

Earl Little Jr.’s Relationship with His Parents

Little Jr. has stacked up a lot of accomplishments, like being a four-star recruit, signing huge NIL contracts, and taking on leadership positions. But he never forgets his roots. The foundation of his growth as a player and a man continues to be his relationship with his parents, especially his dad. Little Sr. witnesses the fulfillment of a dream that took decades to realize as he sees his son get dressed.

“Seeing him get to high school, he always had little muscles and was ripped but I didn’t let him lift weights till high school,” Earl Sr. said. “Him getting in the strength program with Coach Mike Smith and see his body change and develop, he went out there and locked people down for three years in a row. Having great competition in practice and playing in some big-time high school football games, it’s a blessing to see your child go out there and earn it and not just get it because of his last name.”

Even though the younger Little is now developing his own identity at Florida State, his foundation is still based on the quiet strength of two parents who instilled in him the values of resilience and patience.