All coaches have a “one that got away” story, and in Dabo Swinney’s case that was cornerback Donovan Starr.
Throughout his high school career, the Tigers made Starr one of their priority targets, but a numbers crunch on signing day proved to be unworkable, and he ended up at Auburn. Fast forward to the 2026 spring and Starr is finally put into the orange and white.
One of the highlights of the press conference was Swinney’s excitement for the veteran defensive back and how fast the deal came together once Starr accessed the portal.
“I think Donovan wanted to sign out of high school with us, but we ran out of spots,” Swinney said. “The minute that portal came open, he packed up and rolled through.”
Starr’s addition is more than a feel-good story; it’s a tactical necessity. In a situation where several veteran DBs have departed for the NFL, Clemson needed a corner who could plug and play with the technical aspects of a high-press system. Starr was familiar with the staff, and the
"Clemson way," made it easy to transition, Swinney said. “He’s a great fit. He’s what we want for not just a good player but the right person for our culture.”
In the spring, Starr will be vying for a starting spot in a secondary that features a mix of high-ceiling freshmen and experienced veterans. For Swinney, Starr is the perfect example of how to utilize the portal: a veteran who always wanted to become a Tiger, and finally getting his chance to play a role in a championship race.