Clemson is getting a key piece to its rotation back for next season.

The Clemson Insider has confirmed that RHP Aidan Knaak will be back for his fourth season. With the new eligibility rules recently passed by the NCAA, Knaak has two more years remaining.

Knaak was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth round of the MLB Draft with the 163rd pick overall, but could not come to terms on a deal with the Brewers.

The deadline for signing is 5 p.m. EST on Monday, but according to Knaak’s father, Aidan will return to the Tigers.

“AK has decided to return to Clemson for his senior season,” the elder Knaak told TCI. “He has made significant changes to his mechanics and is excited for the opportunity to return and compete again at the highest level.”

Knaak, who has been a member of the starting rotation for each of his first three seasons, had a down year in 2026, going 2-6 with a 5,81 ERA, but he still struck out 88 hitters in 57.1 innings pitched. However, he was a two-time All-ACC selection over his first two seasons and was the first Clemson hurler to accomplish that feat.

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.