Clemson star Crosby out for year after surgery

CLEMSON, S.C. - Two-sport star Roscoe Crosby won&#39;t get to show his football skills at Clemson again this year following surgery on his right elbow Tuesday that will keep him out for the Tigers&#39; season. <br> <br> Clemson athletic spokesman Tim Bourret said Wednesday that Crosby will use a medical redshirt season and have three years of eligibility remaining. <br> <br> Crosby&#39;s agent Brian Peters said Crosby, a top outfield prospect for the Kansas City Royals, had the operation Tuesday, according to the (Anderson) Independent-Mail. The procedure, known as Tommy John surgery, was performed in Birmingham, Ala., by well-known sports surgeon James Andrews. <br> <br> Peters said Crosby intends to play for Clemson once he recovers, which is expected to take at least nine months. <br> <br> ``Everything went fine, and he&#39;s going to do his rehab right there in Clemson and start taking some summer school classes,&#39;&#39; Peters said. ``He&#39;s going to continue to play both sports. He&#39;s completely committed to the Royals and to Clemson.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> There was no immediate comment from Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden, who was on vacation, Bourret said. <br> <br> Andrews reattached the ulnar collateral ligament in Crosby&#39;s right elbow. The injury dated back to Crosby&#39;s senior year at Union High School. <br> <br> Peters said while there was a slight tear in the ligament, doctors wanted to wait to see whether it would heal on its own. ``It just got worse and completely tore,&#39;&#39; Peters said. <br> <br> Injuries kept Crosby from having the breakout football season many expected last year. He had 27 catches for 465 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. However, he bruised his knee in the second game against Wofford then broke his nose in the victory celebration after a 47-44 OT win at Georgia Tech several weeks later. <br> <br> ``It can be disappointing and frustrating sometimes with what&#39;s happened this year,&#39;&#39; Crosby said in October. ``Sometimes you ask yourself, &#39;What would&#39;ve happened if I had chose baseball?&#39;&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Crosby was a second-round pick by the Royals. He signed for $1.75 million, agreeing to work on baseball after he got through with spring classes at Clemson. <br> <br> Last summer, Crosby did not play baseball because of elbow problems. He was limited to hitting this spring at the Royals&#39; facility in Baseball City, Fla., because of the injury. <br> <br> ``The fact that he&#39;s an outfielder, the surgery won&#39;t hurt him at all,&#39;&#39; Peters said. ``He&#39;s a young kid.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Peters said Crosby was expected to return to South Carolina on Thursday to complete his rehabilitation.