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Ian Schieffelin isn’t ready to stop wearing a Clemson jersey — he’s just changing sports. The Tigers basketball standout has officially joined Dabo Swinney’s football program as a tight end, a move that’s been months in the making and fueled by curiosity, opportunity, and a love for competition.
The 6-foot-8 power forward had quietly emerged as one of the ACC’s toughest rebounders, averaging 12.4 points and 9.4 boards last season while helping Clemson earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But after exhausting his basketball eligibility — and facing long odds of gaining a fifth year via NCAA legal battles — Schieffelin was preparing to pursue a professional hoops career when an unexpected call came two weeks ago.
It was Swinney. And this time, he wasn’t joking.
For months, the Tigers head coach had teased Schieffelin about his potential on the football field. Now, the invitation was real: spend the next six months with the football team and see what happens.
“I’ve just been training for basketball, getting ready for the next level,” Schieffelin told ESPN. “Dabo walked me through the opportunity, and it all sounded great — something I wanted to jump on.”
Schieffelin announced his decision on Instagram, saying he couldn’t pass up the chance to be coached by Swinney and tight ends coach Kyle Richardson. Clemson is thin at the position following the departure of veteran starter Jake Briningstool, who recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. That leaves limited experience in the room, with Josh Sapp and Banks Pope combining for just one career reception.
Swinney had publicly floated the idea of Schieffelin transitioning to football last October, even suggesting he could play tight end, defensive end, or left tackle. “We have a lot of rev share ready too if he wants to pass up wherever he’s going,” Swinney said at the time.
Schieffelin is now listed on Clemson’s official football roster. His bio reads: “Beloved Clemson basketball star for four seasons from 2021-25 who completed his eligibility in basketball before opting to use the final year of his five-year collegiate clock to pursue football.”
Clemson senior forward Ian Schieffelin (4) saves a ball from going out of bounds playing Virginia Tech, during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum in ClemsonKen Ruinard/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
While Schieffelin isn’t banking on big NIL payouts, he does believe his frame and athleticism could help him follow in the footsteps of basketball-to-football converts like Antonio Gates, Mo Alie-Cox, and Jimmy Graham. In fact, before making his decision, Schieffelin spoke with Alie-Cox, a former VCU basketball standout now entering his eighth NFL season with the Colts.
“We talked about what went into his decision to go the football route,” Schieffelin said. “It made me decide to just give it a chance and see where I could take it.”
Though he played quarterback as a ninth-grader, Schieffelin hasn’t taken a snap since early high school. Now, he’ll be learning on the fly — and leaning on the work ethic he developed as a four-year college basketball player.
“Maybe I’ll be really good, maybe I’ll be really bad,” he said. “It’s something that was worth a shot. Being able to put a Clemson jersey on again is really special to me, and to do it this time in Death Valley is going to be amazing.”
With the Tigers aiming to return to national championship contention, Schieffelin’s leap of faith adds a fascinating wrinkle to Clemson’s offseason — and maybe, just maybe, another weapon to Swinney’s offense.
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The 6-foot-8 power forward had quietly emerged as one of the ACC’s toughest rebounders, averaging 12.4 points and 9.4 boards last season while helping Clemson earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But after exhausting his basketball eligibility — and facing long odds of gaining a fifth year via NCAA legal battles — Schieffelin was preparing to pursue a professional hoops career when an unexpected call came two weeks ago.
It was Swinney. And this time, he wasn’t joking.
For months, the Tigers head coach had teased Schieffelin about his potential on the football field. Now, the invitation was real: spend the next six months with the football team and see what happens.
“I’ve just been training for basketball, getting ready for the next level,” Schieffelin told ESPN. “Dabo walked me through the opportunity, and it all sounded great — something I wanted to jump on.”
Schieffelin announced his decision on Instagram, saying he couldn’t pass up the chance to be coached by Swinney and tight ends coach Kyle Richardson. Clemson is thin at the position following the departure of veteran starter Jake Briningstool, who recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. That leaves limited experience in the room, with Josh Sapp and Banks Pope combining for just one career reception.
Swinney had publicly floated the idea of Schieffelin transitioning to football last October, even suggesting he could play tight end, defensive end, or left tackle. “We have a lot of rev share ready too if he wants to pass up wherever he’s going,” Swinney said at the time.
Schieffelin is now listed on Clemson’s official football roster. His bio reads: “Beloved Clemson basketball star for four seasons from 2021-25 who completed his eligibility in basketball before opting to use the final year of his five-year collegiate clock to pursue football.”
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Clemson senior forward Ian Schieffelin (4) saves a ball from going out of bounds playing Virginia Tech, during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum in ClemsonKen Ruinard/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
While Schieffelin isn’t banking on big NIL payouts, he does believe his frame and athleticism could help him follow in the footsteps of basketball-to-football converts like Antonio Gates, Mo Alie-Cox, and Jimmy Graham. In fact, before making his decision, Schieffelin spoke with Alie-Cox, a former VCU basketball standout now entering his eighth NFL season with the Colts.
“We talked about what went into his decision to go the football route,” Schieffelin said. “It made me decide to just give it a chance and see where I could take it.”
Though he played quarterback as a ninth-grader, Schieffelin hasn’t taken a snap since early high school. Now, he’ll be learning on the fly — and leaning on the work ethic he developed as a four-year college basketball player.
“Maybe I’ll be really good, maybe I’ll be really bad,” he said. “It’s something that was worth a shot. Being able to put a Clemson jersey on again is really special to me, and to do it this time in Death Valley is going to be amazing.”
With the Tigers aiming to return to national championship contention, Schieffelin’s leap of faith adds a fascinating wrinkle to Clemson’s offseason — and maybe, just maybe, another weapon to Swinney’s offense.
Related: Dabo Swinney Steals the Spotlight at Sold-Out Savannah Bananas Game in Death Valley
Related: Ian Schieffelin Makes Clemson History with Another Dominant Double-Double
Related: Clemson Climbs to No. 5 in USA Today’s Post-Spring Top 25 Rankings
Related: Ian Schieffelin Makes Clemson History with Another Dominant Double-Double
Related: Clemson Climbs to No. 5 in USA Today’s Post-Spring Top 25 Rankings
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