For months, Clemsson's football coach Dabo Swinney had joked with Ian Schieffelin that the 6 -foot 8 -inch power for the Tigres male basketball team would be an excellent closed wing, but Schieffelin assumed that everything was very fun. Two weeks ago, however, he received a Swinney call with a serious offer: spend the next six months with the Tigres football team and see what happens.
Schieffelin announced on Instagram on Friday that he is taking Swinney to the offer, renouncing any professional basketball perspective for now in favor of a last season in a Clemson shirt, this time on the grill instead of hard wood.
“I've only been training for basketball, preparing for the next level,” Schieffelin told ESPN. “Dabo accompanied me for the opportunity he was willing to give me, and everything sounded great, something he wanted to jump. He really woke up my interest in wanting to try, and being able to put a Clemson shirt again was very attractive to me. He could be able to be trained by Dabo and [tight ends coach Kyle] Richardson is just a great opportunity that I couldn't miss. “
Schieffelin became one of the key gears for the Hoops team of the tigers in the last two years. He averaged 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last season when Clemson got a 5 seeds in the NCAA tournament, losing to McNese in the first round.
He had entered the transfer portal last month with the hope of a fifth year of eligibility in the midst of several in progress against the NCAA, although Schieffelin said that the probability of a result in time to play basketball in 2025-26 was scarce. He had been preparing for a crack in professionals, probably abroad or in the G League, when Swinney called with the offer.
“I would never rule out to return to basketball,” Schieffelin said. “I will see how these next six months go, see how development is going, see if I really like to play football. But I think this is a good opportunity for the next six months.”
Clemson lost the initial closed wing Jake Briningstool after last season. Briningstool, who signed as a free not recruited agent with the Kansas City bosses last week, played in 48 games and made 127 caught for four years in Clemson. The depth table of the tigers in the position is thin in experience, with Josh Sapp (13 captures), Olsen Patt-Henry (12 catches) and Banks Pope (1 capture) the only wings closed in the team that have registered a reception.
In October, Swinney made fun of his interest in adding Schieffelin to his list, suggesting that he would fit almost anywhere in the field for the tigers.
“I could play closed, D-End. I could play what I wanted to play. It would be an incredible left Tackle,” Swinney said. “I will definitely have a place. We also have a lot [after basketball]”
Schieffelin said he had not taken Swinney's suggestions seriously during the basketball season, assuming that the coach was just joking, but when the opportunity became real, he quickly understood the vision Swinney had for him.
“The call two weeks ago was very serious,” said Schieffelin, “and I thought, maybe it is an opportunity to stay a little more and join a contender to the national championship.”
Swinney said he thinks Schieffelin can make movement and succeed in university football.
“He has a measurable elite football that I think will translate well,” said Swinney. “I really want to help you make the transition and build a football base that will give you the opportunity not only to help us in Clemson, but will also give you the opportunity to play professional football. It should be fun.”
Schieffelin said he does not expect to earn severe money, but believes that his body type could allow him to flourish in a possible NFL perspective.
He played a field Marshal as a ninth grade student before choosing to concentrate on basketball the following year. Schieffelin said he will spend the next months working on conditioning and strength profits to prepare for football rigors, as well as work to build relationships with his new teammates, but said he has no expectation established for the season.
“Playing university basketball for four years, I am used to the routine and used to work,” Schieffelin said. “But it looks different on the football side, so just enter the weight room and learn everything.”
Before making his decision, Schieffelin said he spoke with the closed wing of the Colts, Mo Alie-Cox, who was a four-year opener in Basketball for VCU before signing with Indianapolis. Alie-Cox had not played football since her first year of high school, but now she is entering her eighth NFL season.
“We talked about what entered his decision to follow the football route,” said Schieffelin. “It helped me to know why he decided, and made me decide to give him a chance and see where he could take it.”
Alie-Cox is one of the few basketball players who have made a successful transition to football. Greg Paulus played rings in Duke before becoming the Marshal Marshal in Syracuse in 2009. Jimmy Graham and Julius Peppers played both sports at the university before becoming players of the NFL All-Pro NFL players. Antonio Gates played basketball in Kent State before trying football. It was announced as a member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame in February.
“Simply be able to compete with these boys and impact the team in any way that you can,” Schieffelin said about his goals. “I am entering this very optimistic and ready to learn. Being able to compete every day is something I enjoy. Learn football and have fun.
“Maybe it's really good, maybe it's really bad. It's something worth it.
