Clemson athlete Ian Schieffelin temporarily halts basketball tenure, decides to play football under Dabo Swinney's guidance.
Spontaneous Swap: Ian Schieffelin's Leap from Basketball to Football
After four years tearing up the basketball court for Clemson, power forward Ian Schieffelin is venturing into uncharted territory, giving football a whirl at his alma mater.
Fueled by Dabo Swinney's intriguing proposal, Schieffelin is stepping away from the professional basketball chase. Over the past eight months, Swinney kept the idea alive that he'd love to witness Schieffelin give football another shot. The 6-foot-8 titan played quarterback at Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga.
At first, the coach's offer wasn't a serious contender in Schieffelin's eyes. But after Clemson football sought a replacement for tight end Jake Briningstool, who signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Swinney's offer became more tempting.
Swinney hinted at the opportunity in the 2024 season, initiating a subtle recruitment effort. "He could play tight end, D-end. He could play whatever he wanted to play. He'd be an unbelievable left tackle. I'll definitely have a spot," Swinney hinted. Adding to his pitch, Swinney offered a piece of the revenue pie if Schieffelin decided to forsake other offers.
Seeking advice, Schieffelin reached out to Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox, a fellow basketball-to-football transitioner. The four-year VCU basketball starter's journey transformed into a successful NFL career that's now entering its eighth season.
With basketball aspirations still in sight, Schieffelin expressed enthusiasm for the challenge. "Just being able to compete with these guys and impact the team any way I can. I’m going into this very optimistic and ready to learn," he told ESPN.
Now, the Clemson Tigers have a towering tight end with the potential to make opposing defenses sweat. Schieffelin, with one year of eligibility remaining, has three months to prepare for the transition, before August's fall camp kicks off.
Transition tales are nothing new in sports. Athletes like Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, and Julius Peppers have managed to excel in both basketball and football. Schieffelin's size, mobility, and the potential benefits of his basketball background make him an intriguing case to watch.
NCAA rules allow athletes to reset their eligibility when switching sports, paving the way for promising transitions like Schieffelin's, albeit with varying degrees of success in the pros. Gates' stardom and Alie-Cox's contributions serve as promising examples. As Schieffelin suits up again in Death Valley, his journey promises to be an exciting spectacle.
Ian Schieffelin, having played basketball for Clemson for four years, is now venturing into American football after Dabo Swinney's offer to join the Clemson Tigers' football team. Schieffelin, who played quarterback in high school, initially resisted the coach's offer but became more interested after Clemson needed a replacement for Jake Briningstool. Swinney suggested possible positions for Schieffelin, including tight end, defensive end, and left tackle, hinting at the opportunity in the 2024 season. Seeking advice, Schieffelin reached out to Mo Alie-Cox, a former basketball player turned NFL tight end. Despite continuing his basketball aspirations, Schieffelin expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, stating, "I’m going into this very optimistic and ready to learn."
