Auburn transfer DB Donovan Starr signs with Clemson

Auburn transfer cornerback Donovan Starr has signed to play with Clemson in 2026, On3 has learned. Starr was a true freshman at Auburn this past season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Starr appeared in nine games on special teams and as a defensive reserve in 2025. However, he did not record any stats.

Donovan Starr played high school football for Ravenwood (TN), where he was a four-star recruit in the 2025 class. He ranked as the No. 150 overall player and No. 23 cornerback in the cycle according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

So far this cycle, Clemson has added four players through the transfer portal while another nine have exited. Starr is the third defensive back that the Tigers have added, joining cornerback Elliott Washington II and safety Jerome Carter.

Clemson is coming off of a 7-6 finish this past season, its worst record since 2010. The Tigers have made seven appearances in the College Football Playoff under coach Dabo Swinney, but only one since the NIL and portal era began in 2021. That in mind, it might be time for them to take a more aggressive approach to the portal this year than in the past.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

More on the transfer portal in 2026

The 15-day transfer portal this winter will be the only window, opening Jan. 2 and closing on Jan. 16. The NCAA opted to eliminate the spring transfer portal window for football, meaning this will be the only opportunity for student athletes to enter their names.

The move to a one-time-only portal is supposed to allow schools to finish their season with their entire team before the transfer portal opens. As has been the previous standard, athletes on College Football Playoff teams still playing would have 5 days beginning the day after their team’s final game to enter the transfer portal.

This season’s CFP semifinals are set for Jan. 8 and 9. The CFP national championship game is scheduled for Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.