Florida State Defensive Backs Looking to Improve in 2026

The Florida State football program comes into the 2026 season with a lot of questions.

The defensive secondary is loaded with talent and experience, both from roster retention and the transfer portal. They ranked No. 28 in the FBS in pass defense in 2025, allowing 190 passing yards per game. But when it came to contesting catches in man-to-man coverage, the Seminoles fell a little short.

Last season, Florida State produced 36 passes defended and 24 pass breakups, and averaged just three passes defended per game. That was bad enough to be ranked No. 127 in the FBS in that category. They lose safety Earl Little Jr., who transferred to Ohio State.

Here are the pass defenders that will don the garnet and gold this season.

Ja'bril Rawls represented Florida State at ACC Kickoff, and will be looked upon to be a leader on the field for the Seminoles in 2026. Last season, Rawls recorded 40 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups. Rawls has been named a preseason second-team All-ACC by Phil Steele.

At ACC Kickoff, Rawls spoke about the Seminoles struggles to get off the field on third down last season. “Uh just making sure that we harpen on that particular down because third and fourth down those are the money down those are the dials that's going to get you off the field or either going to have you on the field. So, uh just us being able to know the situation our situational awareness but get that is uh tuned in,” Rawls said.

As a college graduate already, Ashlynd Barker gets to concentrate on being the best football player he can be. Barker made 48 tackles (second on the team), five tackles for loss, two pass breakups and 3.5 sacks. Those sack totals were the most by a defensive back since Derwin James in 2015.

Barker has been recognized for his leadership skills exhibited on the field and earned the honor of signaling the end of summer workouts by “breaking the rock.”

CJ Richard played at FCS runner-up Illinois State last season, and he posted three interceptions, one fumble recovery and 60 tackles. He played 17 games and was named Freshman All-American by Phil Steele.

Ma'khi Jones played 14 games last season at Duke. He recorded 35 tackles, one forced fumble and one forced fumble. In a victory over Clemson, Jones posted a career-high six tackles.

Going into his fourth year in the Florida State program, Jones is a veteran in the garnet and gold. With limited action, Jones has posted 25 career tackles. He is projected as a starter for the 2026 season.

Chandler played in 11 games last season, 10 as a starter for South Alabama. He recorded 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. In addition, Chandler posted 13 pass breakups, which tied a school record and was good enough for No. 2 in the FBS.

For his efforts, Chandler was named second team All-Sun Belt. With that kind of production, it may be hard to keep Chandler off the field as he will battle for playing time.

Fall camp begins for the Seminoles on July 29, and they will prepare for week zero game week on August 24. Florida State will host New Mexico State on August 29.

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