From Court to Gridiron: Star Basketball Player’s Shocking Switch to Football Stuns Fans

So, here’s a curious twist you probably didn’t see coming: Clemson basketball’s own Ian Schieffelin—yes, the 6-foot-8 forward who’s been draining rebounds and buckets—might just be hanging up his sneakers and lacing up cleats instead. Imagine trading in the hardwood for the gridiron after nearly a hundred starts on the court. Is this a case of a late-blooming two-sport star, or just a savvy pivot by Dabo Swinney, who’s long been cautious about the transfer portal but eager to snag talent wherever it comes from? Schieffelin’s got a football past, playing QB and tight end in high school, and Swinney believes he’s got the hands and size to be a real problem on the field. It’s not every day you see an athlete willing to swap courts for touchdowns—makes you wonder if more multisport athletes are ready to flip the switch and surprise us all. Ready to dive deeper into Schieffelin’s bold next chapter? LEARN MORE.

Dabo Swinney has been slow to embrace the transfer portal, but he may have instead found a new commit from another Clemson program.

According to Tiger Illustrated’s Larry Wilson, Clemson basketball player Ian Schieffelin will consider shifting to football to play tight end for the Tigers. Clemson Insider’s Jason Priester also reported that a plan is in place for Schieffelien to change sports, but nothing is finalized as of Wednesday.

Schieffelin has started 99 of 134 games played for Clemson’s hoops squad over the last four seasons. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward averaged 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for Brad Brownell’s Tigers last season.

Regardless of his next move, Schieffelin’s days of playing basketball at Clemson appear to be over. 

Although he exhausted his four years of basketball eligibility, Schieffelin entered the transfer portal in case the NCAA permits him a fifth year. However, he’d still be permitted to pursue one more season of football eligibility.

Schieffelin played quarterback and tight end at Grayson High School in Atlanta. Last fall, he declared that he could compete in college football.

“I could play some tight end,” Schieffelin said last October, per The State’s Chapel Fowler. “I actually have pretty good hands. I think I’d be all right.”

Swinney shared the same perspective. He told Schieffelin there’s “always a spot” for him on the football team and predicted he’d “be a problem” on the gridiron.

While Swinney thought Schieffelin would make an “unbelievable” offensive tackle, he predicted that the hoops star would prefer to play a flashier position.

“Nobody gets too excited about the left tackle. Schieff would probably want to be a (defensive end) or a tight end,” Swinney said last fall. “I’ll definitely have a spot, and we would got a lot of revenue sharing if he wants to pass up wherever he is going and come over here.”

Last year, Schieffelin recalled a Syracuse football coach telling him playing basketball would be “the dumbest decision I’d ever make.” While he was happy with his choice, he now appears poised to give football a shot.

Related: Dabo Swinney Warns Nebraska Coach Matt Rhule