Parker will return to Clemson

Clemson fans, you can all exhale now.

Kyle Parker will return to the Tigers football program instead of exclusively playing baseball for the Colorado Rockies organization, giving a much-needed boost to the Clemson offense.

The quarterback made the announcement Wednesday morning.

“I am excited about this decision,” Parker said in a prepared statement. “I am ready to get back to Clemson, work out with my football teammates and coaches and get ready for the season. The closer you get to football season the more you think about playing in Death Valley, running down the hill and being a part of the Clemson football tradition.

“I want to thank Coach Swinney for his patience in this process. I thought it was important to make a decision about football at this time to be fair to Coach (Dabo) Swinney and the team.

“I was in a situation where I couldn’t make a bad decision. All my options are still on the table at this point. The only option I have ruled out is playing baseball exclusively for the Colorado Rockies right now. Negotiations will continue with the Rockies, but I will play football at Clemson this fall.”

After the two-sport star was drafted No. 26 by the Rockies in June, many believed that his football career at Clemson was over. But now, he will begin preparing for his sophomore season.

Last year as a freshman, Parker led Clemson to the ACC Championship game. He threw for 2,526 yards with 20 TDs and 12 INTs.

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