Another Alabama football player unexpectedly jumped into the transfer portal on Wednesday.

Second-year defensive back Earl Little II is reportedly exploring a future outside Tuscaloosa after two seasons derailed by shoulder injuries. He was the ninth player to enter the portal this afternoon and 10th since Alabama lost the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

Little appeared in 11 games across two years, appearing to be a promising piece in the Tide secondary. But the former top-100 recruit (from Florida powerhouse American Heritage) never could see the field consistently. He confirmed to AL.com during Rose Bowl media day that he tore the labrum in his right shoulder in 2023, last playing against LSU on Nov. 4.

Little said it was a “learning curve” to manage his development with UA coaches while sideline. Now, Little will see if he can find health — he’s expected to be ready by spring ball, he said — and opportunity elsewhere.

“I just take it step by step. I know what (Tide coaches) have a vision for and I know what my vision is. I just take it day by day, I try not to think too far ahead in the future. I’m living in the moment and taking care of the little things like getting my shoulder right,” Little said last Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.

Little made the first tackle of his career during the Sept. 2 opener against Middle Tennessee State. He would finish with two stops across mostly special teams’ work. Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of On3 were the first to report news of Little’s departure.

Little is listed as a redshirt freshman at 6-foot-1, 186 pounds, and has up to three years of eligibility remaining. Little corrected a fake tweet that stated he wanted a culture to “compete.”