D1Baseball released its 2026 Preseason All-America teams this week, and one Clemson star was named a Preseason All-American by the outlet.

Tigers junior righthanded pitcher Aidan Knaak earned first-team Preseason All-America honors heading into the 2026 campaign.

Knaak is a two-time, first-team All-ACC selection who became the first Clemson pitcher to earn first-team All-ACC honors in each of his first two seasons. He had one of the best seasons ever by a Tiger freshman pitcher in 2024 and was effective as a sophomore in 2025, when he posted a 9-1 record and 4.18 ERA in 16 starts. In 90.1 innings pitched, he allowed 71 hits and 29 walks with 110 strikeouts.

As a freshman, Knaak recorded a 5-1 record and 3.35 ERA in 15 starts. In 83.1 innings pitched, he allowed 67 hits and 29 walks with 108 strikeouts.

Overall, in his first two seasons at Clemson, Knaak is 14-2 with a 3.78 ERA and 218 strikeouts against 58 walks in 173.2 innings pitched over 31 starts. He is a four-time ACC Pitcher of the Week in his career, one of only two Tigers who can make that claim, along with Kris Benson. The Tigers have a 26-5 record in Knaak’s 31 career starts.

Knaak and the Tigers will open the 2026 season with a three-game series against Army at Doug Kingsmore Stadium from Feb. 13-15.

–Clemson Athletic Communications contributed to this story