The Clemson Tigers signed former Auburn cornerback Donovan Starr, giving the Tigers their fourth portal addition in a two-day span as the defensive rebuild accelerates.
Starr, a former four-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, appeared in nine games during his lone season at Auburn Tigers, contributing primarily on special teams while also seeing snaps in the defensive backfield.
A Familiar Name for Clemson
Starr is no stranger to Clemson’s staff. The Tigers heavily recruited the Tennessee native coming out of high school, and he took an official visit to campus in June 2024 before ultimately signing with Auburn.
Coming out of Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee, Starr was ranked No. 136 overall nationally and the No. 1 prospect in the state by 247Sports. He held more than three dozen offers, with many of the nation’s top programs in pursuit.
Despite limited defensive snaps as a freshman in the SEC, Starr arrives with high-upside traits that originally made him one of the most coveted defensive backs in his class.
Portal Momentum Continues
Starr becomes Clemson’s fourth portal pickup in two days, joining Penn State defensive back Elliot Washington II, California linebacker Luke Ferrelli, and Old Dominion safety Jerome Carter.
The rapid influx reflects a clear sense of urgency as head coach Dabo Swinney and defensive coordinator Tom Allen work to restock a secondary that lost multiple starters to the transfer portal and the NFL.
According to On3 and 247Sports, Starr remains a top-300 transfer prospect, underscoring Clemson’s focus on talent acquisition rather than short-term production alone.
What Starr Brings
At 6-foot and athletic, Starr offers versatility in the cornerback room, with speed, length and special teams experience that could earn him an early role while he continues to develop defensively.
Clemson’s recent portal additions have emphasized defensive backs with either proven production or elite recruiting pedigree. Starr fits firmly in the latter category — a developmental piece with the ceiling to grow into a major contributor.
Big Picture
Clemson has now secured its largest transfer portal class to date, signaling a philosophical shift in roster management. While more additions are expected, the Tigers have already reshaped the spine of their defense in less than a week.
For a program seeking to reestablish its defensive identity, the volume — and quality — of these early portal moves stands out.