Folks, it’s official—and it’s wild. A college basketball star, known for racking up over 1,000 career points, is swapping the hardwood for the gridiron. Well, after hitting the transfer portal, he’s now trading in his Nikes for cleats and pads. The shockwave hit fast, and it’s real. Yes, he’s joining a football powerhouse eyeing a national title run. And for the CFB coach, this could be a major win. Because as a high-level athlete with toughness, agility, and a competitor’s mindset, he is exactly the kind of edge the team needs to raise the ceiling even higher.
Well, big moves are brewing in Tiger Town. Clemson basketball star Ian Schieffelin is making the ultimate switch—ditching the court for the gridiron. And behind the scenes? Dabo Swinney’s influence is hard to miss. The HC has always been more than just a sideline fan of Clemson hoops. He’s a regular at games, a voice of support, and a big believer in building a unified athletic family. Swinney’s deep ties to the entire Clemson sports culture—fueled by his own family’s athletic roots—have created a campus where cross-sport moves like this aren’t just welcomed, they’re celebrated. Now, if Schieffelin does join the football squad this fall, will it be yet another testament to the powerful pull of Swinney’s vision?
On May 1, the buzz became real—On3 reported that Ian Schieffelin plans to suit up for Clemson football. The news quickly spread, with TigerNet, Clemson Insider, and Clemson247 all confirming the move. It looks like Schieffelin is swapping hardwood for the gridiron, trading in his basketball kicks from Littlejohn Coliseum for cleats under the lights at Memorial Stadium. And adding fuel to the fire, he recently changed his X profile photo to an old shot of him in full football gear from Grayson High School. However, the post didn’t last long—it was taken down later that same day—but the message was loud and clear: something big is brewing in Tiger Town.
Here, Clemson247 reported Schieffelin is ‘planning’ to join the football team as a TE this fall—a move that makes total sense. Because the Tigers are thin at the position, with Jake Briningstool off to the next level and Markus Dixon now playing defense. Olsen Patt-Henry is expected to start, but behind him? It’s a young, unproven group featuring Logan Brooking and Christian Bentancur. That’s where Schieffelin comes in. He’s a physical presence who could shake things up in the TE room and give Dabo Swinney exactly what he’s been preaching—versatility, grit, and fresh energy.
However, Ian Schieffelin logged 33 minutes in Clemson’s NCAA Tournament opener—but scored just one point. Now, he’s about to make a much louder impact in a different arena. For years, Coach Swinney has joked about adding Schieffelin to the football roster once hoops wrapped up. Turns out, he wasn’t joking after all. At 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, Schieffelin brings a rare mix of size, athleticism, and a football past to the tight end spot. And this move might’ve been in the works for a while.
The timing couldn’t be more dramatic. Schieffelin entered the transfer portal right after Clemson’s shocking first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, where they lost 69-67 to McNeese State. What was supposed to be a promising season ended in disappointment. But here’s the twist—Schieffelin is making a bold return to Clemson, not on the hardwood, but on the gridiron. That’s right—he’s switching to TE for the football team. It’s a move that takes him back to his high school roots, where he played both TE and QB. So, Schieffelin’s switch to football shows just how fluid college athletics can be, and how athletes are always finding new ways to shape their futures.
Okay, Ian Schieffelin was a force for Clemson hoops over four seasons. This year, he earned second-team All-ACC honors, averaging 12.4 points and 9.4 BPG. Now, he’s in the NCAA transfer portal, keeping his options wide open. With lawsuits circling NCAA eligibility rules, a shift to 5 years for all athletes could be coming. But Schieffelin doesn’t need to wait. Thanks to multi-sport eligibility, he could suit up for Clemson football this fall—and still get that bonus year.
While nothing is set in stone yet, the question still looms — did Dabo Swinney’s influence really work?
Dabo Swinney’s impact stretches far beyond football
It’s rare to see a basketball player make the switch to football, but it’s not unheard of. Just look at Antonio Gates—he went from hoop dreams to Hall of Fame tight end. Now, while we’re not saying Schieffelin is the next Gates, it’s proof that basketball players can dominate on the gridiron too. Who knows what’s in store for him?
Source: Instagram
Look, Dabo Swinney has been pushing for Schieffelin to join the football team for two years now. “I’d definitely have a spot and we would have a lot of revenue sharing if he wanted to pass up wherever he is going (after basketball season) and come over here,” said Swinney last October. So, where could Schieffelin fit in? “He could play whatever he wanted to play,” added Swinney. So, the possibilities are wide open for this multi-sport talent.
However, Schieffelin’s path to the field might not be straightforward, but his potential is undeniable. With just one year of eligibility, there’s no need to bog him down with complicated blocking schemes. Instead, focus on the passing game—let him run routes and study Jake Briningstool’s footwork. At 6-8, 240, Schieffelin could be a red-zone monster in Garrett Riley’s offense. “Nobody gets too excited about left tackle. Schieff would probably want to be a (defensive end) or tight end,” said Swinney.
Even Schieffelin was once told by a Syracuse coach that choosing basketball over football would be his ‘dumbest decision’—but he didn’t listen. “I actually have pretty good hands,” he said, confident in his ability to play tight end. “I think I’d be all right,” he added, ready for the challenge. Now, he hopes Dabo’s program will be the one to showcase his potential.
The post CFB Coach Gets Major Roster Boost as Basketball Starter Switches to Football Days After March Madness Upset appeared first on EssentiallySports.
