Florida State has landed a commitment from former Duke Blue Devils safety Ma’khi Jones today, as the Seminoles continue to replenish their defense. 247Sports first reported the news.
Jones finished the 2025 season with 35 tackles (1.5 for loss), a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery,
and a pass breakup in 14 games for the Blue Devils. His production is notable for a true freshman on a talented Duke squad that won the ACC Championship.
Jones will have four years to play three for FSU and should immediately factor into the safety rotation. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defender was rated as a three-star by 247 composite and enrolled early at Duke. He is from Alpharetta, Georgia.
Jones’ bio from goduke.com
2025: Incoming safety … enrolled at Duke in January, 2025.
PRIOR TO DUKE: Lettered four seasons between St. Joseph’s Regional [N.J.] and Milton [Ga.] … rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com … all-region honoree … as a junior, helped the Eagles win a Georgia AAAAAAA title while carding 73 tackles, five PBUs and one INT … as a sophomore at St. Joseph Regional, totaled 70 tackles, four PBUs, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
PERSONAL: Son of Gintel Jones and Lamont Purnell … cousin of 10-year NFL veteran Tahir Whitehead, who totaled 685 tackles and six INTs while playing for the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals … cousin of Dariq Whitehead, who was a member of the Duke men’s basketball team in 2022-23 and was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2023 NBA Draft.
