Knaak Has ‘Unfinished Business’ at Clemson
By: Jason Priester July 27, 2026

Aidan Knaak has made it official.

As The Clemson Insider revealed early on Monday, Knaak will be back for a fourth season at Clemson, rather than sign with Milwaukee after being selected in the fifth round by the Brewers with the 163rd overall pick. The right-handed hurler had until Monday at 5 p.m. to get a deal done.

However, just before the deadline, Knaak took to social media to officially announce he is putting off professional baseball for at least one more season. With the new rules recently passed by the NCAA giving all student-athletes five years to play, Knaak now has two more seasons of eligibility.

“I’m extremely grateful to the Brewers for believing in me and offering an incredible opportunity,” Knaak posted to Instagram. “After a lot of reflection, I’ve decided to return to Clemson for my senior year.

“There’s unfinished business here, and I’m committed to growing, developing, and putting in the work to be better for my teammates and this program.”

Knaak has been a mainstay in the Tigers’ starting rotation in each of his first three seasons at Clemson. He began in the Sunday spot during his debut season, before moving to the Friday role each of the past two seasons.

Knaak went just 2-6 last season with an ERA of 5.81, with 88 strikeouts in 57.1 innings pitched. He was an All-ACC selection in each of his first two seasons.

In 231.0 career innings pitched over 44 starts, he is 16-8 with a 4.29 ERA, .239 opponents’ batting average and 306 strikeouts against 81 walks. He is second in Tiger history in strikeouts per nine innings pitched (11.92), sixth in strikeouts, ninth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.78) and tied for ninth in starts on the mound. Clemson was 32-12 in games in which Knaak started.

Knaak’s return provides a big boost to a Clemson rotation that was hit rather hard by the draft. Drew Titsworth, Justin LeGuernic, Ariston Veasey and incoming recruit Blake Bryant have all signed MLB deals after being drafted. The Tigers also lost one of its top relievers, Hayden Simmerson, to the transfer portal.