Florida State safety Ashlynd Barker is entering the Transfer Portal after emerging as a starter for the Seminoles in 2025, according to Hayes Fawcett.
The redshirt junior will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Barker entered the starting lineup for FSU this season as the boundary safety in Tony White‘s three-safety scheme. He had some bright moments there, with his physicality and length showing up both in the run game and defending passes.
Safeties coach Evan Cooper raved about Barker after a few games into the 2025 season.
“I told Ashlynd Barker in the spring that he was an NFL player,” Cooper said in September. “I think he believes that more now than he has. When you look at him, he looks different, he runs different, he can change direction. He is smart. He comes with the approach everyday. His mindset is I just want to get better. He’s a sponge. He asks the right questions… he’s exactly what I’d like to keep recruiting.”
Barker finished the season with 48 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, and 2 PBU. A nagging shoulder injury, however, did seem to limit his efficacy as the season went on as Barker finished the season with two PFF grades below the average standard of 60.0.
Barker came to FSU in 2023 as a JUCO prospect and a bit of a hidden gem. The evaluation paid off more than it didn’t as the Seminoles hit on the gamble with Barker playing early in 2023, and then finishing the 2024 campaign on a strong note before this past season’s breakout performance. He’ll finish his FSU career with 78 tackles over three seasons.
The NCAA Transfer Portal window is January 2nd to January 16th for players to officially enter from the Division I ranks. Unlike past instances, there is just one transfer portal window in 2026.