For four of Clemson baseball’s returning veterans, the decision to come back for another season came with different circumstances.
For righthander Aidan Knaak, it meant another opportunity to develop after being selected in the fifth round of the MLB draft. For infielder Jarren Purify, it meant navigating a summer of uncertainty before deciding his professional opportunity would have to wait. Infielder Luke Gaffney saw another chance to continue developing alongside a group of teammates he believed can bounce back, while infielder and outfielder Tryston McCladdie viewed his return as an opportunity to keep growing into a leadership role while expanding his already multifaceted skill set.
After a season that fell short of Clemson’s expectations in 2026, the four veterans have returned to help set a new standard, one that they hope can ultimately lead the Tigers to a deep postseason run.
“We’re hungry,” said McCladdie. “We’re hungry as a team and we’re wanting to do the best we can, because last year wasn’t up to Clemson baseball standards.”
The disappointment of 2026 has not disappeared, but the Tigers are not spending their fall dwelling on it. Instead, the group plans to work together to accomplish their goal of playing baseball deep into June.
“We learned from it,” stated Knaak. “We’re taking what we learned from last year and moving on and creating a better plan moving forward.”
For Gaffney, the 2027 season is about developing his skills and competing with a program that welcomed him with open arms. After two seasons at Purdue, Gaffney transferred to Clemson to play in a competitive ACC environment for a high-energy and fun-loving team, led by Head Coach Erik Bakich.
“There are always a few references to last season, but for the most part, it’s always there,” admitted Gaffney of the Tigers' early exit in 2026. “You don’t necessarily have to talk about it. Guys know that, guys felt that. So we’re using that every day as a little chip to keep going.”
For Clemson’s returning players, that chip has helped shape the tone of the fall for a Tiger team that is hungry for success.
Gaffney said one of the biggest keys to getting the program back to where it wants to be is simple…everyone has to embrace their role.
“Each person embracing their role on the team and living to that standard every day, I think that is our biggest way to go back to where we want to be,” said Gaffney.
That responsibility falls naturally on veterans like McCladdie, whose versatility has given him experience through his first three years at Clemson. Having played multiple positions throughout his career, McCladdie has become someone who teammates can turn to regardless of where they are playing.
“It helps me be a leader in the infield and the outfield because I play six different positions,” explained McCladdie. “Being able to have that versatility, anyone can ask me questions, and I’ll try to give my best answer.”
Knaak has embraced a similar responsibility away from the field. Through his work with Diamond Blueprint, a youth pitching development and mentorship program, Knaak has taken on one-on-one clients and found another way to give back to younger players who look up to him.
“My goal off the field is to give back to the community and give back to the younger self that I once was,” said Knaak. “A lot of the younger generation looks up to players like us. So I want to give back to them and show them the path.”
Knaak’s leadership extends beyond his off-the-field work, as over his three full seasons of play, he has become an established mentor for his teammates.
This season, the Tigers are pushing themselves both physically and mentally to present a different level of intensity in their preparation. Gaffney said the demands have created an environment designed to challenge players with competition in the fall while also helping them grow.
“We’re getting after it every day and feeling exhausted at the end of the day,” stated Gaffney. “At the same time, we have a coaching staff that is challenging and supporting us to help us grow as much as we can. That combination is unmatched.”
For Purify, the decision to return to Tigertown came after a summer of chasing his professional dream. He played in the MLB Draft League for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers from the middle of June to the early weeks of July. But his path to professional baseball was delayed.
Conversations with Bakich and and opportunities made possible by Director of Athletics Graham Neff helped him make the final decision to return for one more season, giving him another chance to improve his offensive production and help Clemson prepare to return to the postseason.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t the MLB, not yet,” said Purify. “It’s God’s plan. Whatever he has for me, that’s where that sits. Now that I’m back, I have something to prove. I’m driven more than I was the past three years.”
Knaak added that the Tigers understand that outsiders may view them differently after last season, but that only adds to their motivation.
“People probably think less of us right now, but we’re going to show them this year who we are.”
McCladdie knows the road back will require more than motivation, as he emphasized the importance of consistency over the course of a long season.
“Being able to get back to the standard and exceed the standard, going to Omaha and winning…that takes a lot,” added McCladdie. “So we’re holding the standard every day and pushing the guys every day to do whatever it takes to win.”
The group of four leads the charge for a team that is eager to put forth a body of work that matches the rigorous dedication the team has displayed this offseason. For a program built on grit and high standards, Clemson looks to return to the pinnacle of college baseball in 2027.