Ohio State’s opener did more than give the Buckeyes a 56-3 win over Ball State. It also gave Earl Little Jr. his first real look at what life in Columbus feels like, and the fifth-year senior came away impressed.
Little, who transferred in after stops at Alabama and Florida State, was one of 30 seniors honored before the game on a Senior Day that was moved up to the season opener. Roughly half of those players were recognized before ever taking a snap for Ohio State, and Little was part of that group. Afterward, he sounded like a player who already feels at home.
“It was everything I thought it would be. The fans were rocking as since I stepped foot on the field for warmups.
They were swinging all four quarters. That's something that I loved.”
That atmosphere matched a strong debut on the field. The 6-foot, 203-pound safety finished third on the Buckeyes with four tackles, trailing only Riley Pettijohn, who had six, and Tarvos Alford, who added five tackles and an interception. It was a tidy first showing for a player Ohio State brought in to help fill the hole left by All-American safety Caleb Downs, who was expected to head to the NFL after his junior season in 2025.
Little also arrived with a resume. He led Florida State with 76 tackles and four interceptions last season before entering the transfer portal after the Seminoles’ second straight losing year.
Against Ball State, he fit right in with a defense that kept the Cardinals stuck at 165 total yards and one field goal. Ball State quarterbacks finished 20 of 37 for 120 yards, and the offense managed just 2.8 yards per play.
After the game, Little talked about how the secondary handled its business and what needs to sharpen before Texas comes to Austin next week.
“Overall, I feel like we had a pretty solid day. There is obviously still room to improve knowing we have a bigger opponent coming up this weekend.
We just have to get back to the drawing board and fix some of the things we missed on. Hopefully get our preparation right - we will get our preparation right for Texas this week.”
He made it clear the Buckeyes aren’t treating this as a week to get loose just because Ball State is in the rearview mirror.
“Honestly, it was great that we played Ball State and we won. I treat every week the same and I respect all of our opponents.
I'm going to treat Texas the same way I treated Ball State in preparation. I will harp on that with the guys and we will attack the week the same way we did for Ball State.”
He added that the team plans to move quickly into the Texas prep.
“Obviously, it was great getting this game out of the way so we can start focusing on the big game in Texas, in Austin. It's the 48 hour rule. We'll enjoy this one today and work on Texas (Sunday).”
Little also had praise for some of the younger defenders around him, including Khary Wilder and Zion Grady, as well as the young linebackers who made noise throughout the afternoon.
“They fit in just like everybody else on the defense. There is some room to grow up being a young guy.
That's what comes with it. But overall, I felt like they did a great job.
When their number was called today, they stepped up and made the play. They were flashing.
That's what you want to see from a young guy.”
Later, he doubled down on that thought.
“The young guys, they are like older guys like me with their communication, running to the ball, flying around and knocking guys back. That's what you want to see out of those guys.”
One of those younger defenders, TJ Alford, grabbed the game’s lone interception, and Little figured he’d be hearing about it.
“Yeah, I'm pretty sure we're going to hear about that. That was a great pick, by the way.”
As for his own role in Matt Patricia’s defense, Little said the staff has already made it clear they want flexibility, and he’s on board.
“That is kind of what they talked about when I was coming in, how they were going to use me. I am all for it.
Wherever the team needs me that week and whatever week it is, I am willing to do it. I just want to help the team be successful.
It doesn't matter if I am down at the line of scrimmage, in the box or on the post (route). As long as it puts us in the best position to win, that's what I am going to do.”
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Ohio States receiver picture got a little murkier heading into Week 1 after Kyle Parker was ruled out for the opener against Ball State because of an injury. Ryan Day had already flagged Parker as dealing with a minor issue, and now the Buckeyes will have to open the season without one of the players in their wideout mix.
Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd are among the receivers expected to get more snaps with Parker unavailable, which only adds another layer to a position group already under the microscope in camp. For a team trying to sort out roles early, even a short-term absence can matter, and this one gives Ohio State an early look at its depth before the real tests arrive. [Read more 🡒]
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Curt Cignettis postgame comments about the Big Ten being superior to the SEC only added to a debate that has been simmering for months, and former Ohio State coach Urban Meyers praise for the leagues strength gave it even more oxygen. For Buckeyes fans, the opening weekend was less about settling anything outright than about reminding everyone that Ohio State is already in the middle of a bigger argument about where the sports best football is being played. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Opener Made One Position Battle A Lot More Interesting
Ohio States season opener looked comfortable on the scoreboard, a 56-3 win that still left enough rough edges to keep the coaching staff busy. Jeremiah Smith delivered the kind of opening performance that reminds everyone why he is already such a focal point of the offense, piling up 151 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches, and Devin McCuin also made his mark as the Buckeyes worked through stretches of inconsistency on both sides of the ball.
One of the more intriguing takeaways came away from the spotlight plays, where freshman Legend Bey flashed enough on offense to suggest there is something to build on. His night also came with some costly special teams errors, though, and that is the kind of detail that can reshape how quickly a young player gets trusted in bigger moments. At quarterback, the depth chart also appeared to settle a little further, with Tavien St. Clair looking more like he is chasing the No. 3 job than threatening the top of the line behind Julian Sayin. [Read more 🡒]