Florida State has made strengthening the defensive backfield a priority in January, and that continued on Tuesday with the addition of Duke safety Ma’Khi Jones.

Jones has not visited FSU but has a connection to new general manager John Garrett.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Jones had 35 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble for Duke as a freshman in 2025. Jones played in 14 games last fall, making three tackles in the double overtime win over Virginia in the ACC championship game and adding three tackles in a bowl victory against Arizona State.

Jones played 305 snaps and graded at 78.1 as a run defender and 59.3 in coverage. He was credited with just four missed tackles. Jones allowed eight catches on 14 targets in 2025.

FSU has also added South Alabama cornerback Nehemiah Chandler, Notre Dame cornerback Karson Hobbs and Illinois State safety CJ Richard. But the Seminoles have also been able to retain cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls and safety Ashlynd Barker.

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