Purdue Boilermakers first baseman Luke Gaffney has announced his decision to transfer to Clemson Tigers. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Gaffney earned accolades such as Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He was also recognized five times as Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
Gaffney revealed his transfer on Instagram, posting a photo in a Clemson uniform with the caption, “Never understood where I could really take it.” During his single season at Purdue, Gaffney achieved impressive stats, batting .349 with a .437 on-base percentage and a .628 slugging percentage. He hit 13 home runs, 15 doubles, and drove in 65 RBIs. Primarily playing first base but also listed as a catcher, Gaffney maintained a stellar .998 fielding percentage, committing only one error with 431 putouts and 26 assists.
His standout freshman campaign at Purdue included breaking six freshmen records for hits, home runs, RBIs, total bases, slugging percentage, and runs scored. He also tied the team record for runs scored in a single season with 62.
Originally from Kentucky, Gaffney was ranked as the No. 3 catcher in the state for the class of 2022 by Perfect Game and earned First-team all-state honors as a senior.
Purdue finished the season with a 33-24 overall record and went 13-11 in conference play under head coach Greg Goff, marking the program’s best performance in terms of wins and losses during his fifth season at the helm.
