RB Tyler Gaffney opts to leave baseball to return to Stanford

Senior could challenge for starting RB job in 2013.

RB Tyler Gaffney is returning to Stanford in 2013 (US Presswire)

Tyler Gaffney is no longer a former Stanford running back, the school announced Monday.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Gaffney is returning to The Farm after spending 2012 playing baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Stanford's Twitter account called his move the program's "biggest addition for 2013."

Gaffney rushed for 791 yards and scored 15 touchdowns as a reserve tailback in his first three seasons with the Cardinal. He was often utilized out of the Wildcat formation.

The Pirates drafted him in the 24th round in 2012 and Gaffney, an outfielder, decided to make the jump to baseball. He batted .297 in 38 games for the Single A State College Spikes.

His return comes at the perfect time for Stanford, which loses all-time leading rusher Stepfan Taylor to graduation. He'll likely compete for the 2013 starting job with senior Anthony Wilkerson, junior Kelsey Young and redshirt freshman Barry Sanders, Jr.