Florida State’s secondary took a hit in December with decisions where players announced they would intend to hit the transfer portal. But the decisions have shifted in January.

Safety Ashlynd Barker is returning to FSU for a fourth season in 2026, 247Sports and On3 reported on Friday. Barker had 48 tackles and 3.5 sacks last fall. He will be FSU’s leading returning tackler after Earl Little Jr. announced his early entry for the NFL Draft.

FSU’s staff has now been able to secure the return of two key pieces of the defensive backfield in cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls and Barker. Rawls had 40 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception in seven games. He was often viewed as a reliable run stopper, and Rawls was injured in the Clemson game.

Now they strengthen a secondary that will include Shamar Arnoux, KJ Kirkland, Quindarrius Jones, Charles Lester III and 2026 signee Chauncey Kennon.

Transfers receiving offers, setting up visits to FSU

South Alabama defensive back Nehemiah Chandler posted on Twitter/X that he will be visiting FSU on Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Chandler played at nearby Wakulla High. He had 31 tackles and two interceptions as a freshman at South Alabama in 2025.

Chandler would be appealing as a potential multi-year transfer with local ties. He is a Jacksonville native.

Chris Jones had 135 tackles and 3.5 sacks for Southern Miss as a sophomore and reported an offer from FSU, Ole Miss, Memphis and a large group of Power 4 schools. Jones was the leading tackler in the Sun Belt in 2025.

Defensive lineman Cody Sigler of Arkansas State reported an offer from FSU on Friday. Sigler had 35 tackles and six sacks in the fall as a junior, including six tackles and 1.5 sacks in a bowl game against Missouri State.

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