Latest news with #IanSchieffelin
USA Today
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
First look at former Clemson basketball star Ian Schieffelin with a football
First look at former Clemson basketball star Ian Schieffelin with a football Clemson's Dabo Swinney Camp is underway this week, but this year's event includes a new and unexpected face — former basketball standout Ian Schieffelin, now officially a member of the Clemson football program. Schieffelin made headlines last week when he shared a photoshopped image of himself in a half-basketball, half-football jersey with 'NEXT CHAPTER' written across it, signaling his transition from the hardwood to the gridiron. Now listed as a tight end on Clemson's official football roster, Schieffelin was seen participating in camp activities on Tuesday as the Tigers hosted hundreds of high school players from around the country. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound athlete brings a unique skill set to the football field. After four years on the basketball team under Brad Brownell, Schieffelin is using his final year of eligibility to try his hand at football. He was a consistent force for the Tigers this past season, averaging 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds while starting all 34 games and helping Clemson reach a program-record 27 wins. Dabo Swinney has long been intrigued by Schieffelin's athleticism, once saying the forward could 'play whatever he wants.' Now, Swinney will have a chance to utilize that versatility as Clemson gears up for a highly anticipated 2025 season opener against LSU on August 30. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
03-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ian Schieffelin talks to ESPN about the call he got from Dabo Swinney to play football
Ian Schieffelin talks to ESPN about the call he got from Dabo Swinney to play football Ian Schieffelin made it official on Friday — he's trading in his basketball sneakers for football cleats, joining Clemson's football program as a tight end for the 2025 season. The All-ACC forward, fresh off a standout senior year with Clemson basketball, confirmed what had been rumored all week. He's stepping into a new challenge — one sparked by a phone call from Dabo Swinney just two weeks ago. 'I was training for the next level in basketball,' Schieffelin told ESPN. 'Then Coach Swinney laid out this opportunity, and it really got my attention. The idea of putting on a Clemson jersey again — in Death Valley this time — was just too good to pass up.' Schieffelin had long been admired by Swinney as a potential football talent, but he wasn't sure the coach was serious until the recent call. 'That conversation changed everything,' he said. 'It felt like a real shot to stick around, contribute to a championship-caliber team, and try something that's always been in the back of my mind.' Schieffelin played football growing up in Georgia at Grayson High School — the same powerhouse program that produced several Clemson players, including former teammate Phil Mafah. Now, he's hoping to join the small group of college athletes who've made the jump from basketball to football with success. 'I don't know how it'll go,' he admitted. 'Maybe I'll be great, maybe not — but it's worth finding out. Getting to represent Clemson again, especially on the football field, is something I'm really looking forward to.' While Schieffelin hasn't ruled out a future in basketball, his focus for now is on this next chapter — one that begins under the lights of Death Valley. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson Basketball Star Announces Shocking Switch to Football Team
The Clemson Tigers basketball team had a strong season in the ACC, finishing second behind the Duke Blue Devils. However, their NCAA Tournament run was cut short when they were upset in the first round by McNeese State as a No. 5 seed. Now, with the offseason underway and star forward Ian Schieffelin out of basketball eligibility, he made a surprising announcement on Friday: he's switching to football—and staying at Clemson to play under head coach Dabo Swinney. Advertisement Schieffelin has officially been added to the Clemson football roster and is currently listed as a tight end. At 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, he brings an imposing physical presence to the position. He confirmed the news on social media Friday, posting a photo of himself wearing a split Clemson jersey—half basketball, half football—to mark the transition. "God Bless!" Schieffelin said. Back on April 21, Schieffelin posted, 'While I am pursuing my options at the professional level, I have been advised—due to pending NCAA cases—to enter the portal on the very outside chance that more eligibility is granted.' Advertisement Ultimately, he made the decision to pursue a different path, which sparked a strong reaction from Clemson fans. "Build the statue," a fan said. "Rumor has it he's already a first round draft pick at TE next season," another fan posted. "Fuel Cade's heisman season goat," someone else added. One more fan commented, "The Chef will be cookin' in Death Valley!" Clemson Tigers forward Ian Schieffelin (4).Eric Canha-Imagn Images Schieffelin spent four seasons with the Clemson basketball program, appearing in 134 games and averaging 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over his collegiate career. However, he took a major step forward during his senior year, averaging 12.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while logging 33.4 minutes per game. Advertisement Now, he'll look to make an impact on the football field as he joins a Clemson football team led by returning starting quarterback Cade Klubnik, with the program entering the season with high expectations. Related: Dabo Swinney Adds Former Clemson QB To Coaching Staff: Report
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What Swinney had to say about basketball star Ian Schieffelin joining Clemson football
What Swinney had to say about basketball star Ian Schieffelin joining Clemson football Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney got something he's wanted for some time… Former Clemson basketball star Ian Schieffelin is on the Tigers' football team. In a massive and somewhat out of nowhere move, the Chef has joined the football program as a tight end. From the court to the field, it is going to be an interesting process to watch as the outcomes are seemingly endless here. As a star forward for the Tigers, Schieffelin was named the ACC's Most Improved Player as a junior, was a multi-time All-ACC selection, and helped lead the program during arguably their best years ever. The question is whether those talents we see on the court will translate to the football field. Dabo Swinney recently released a statement on Schieffelin's decision to join the team: Schieffelin said it best, 'Maybe I'll be really good, maybe I'll be really bad,' he said with a laugh. 'But it was something worth a shot.' The perfect attitude for a perfect situation for the Clemson basketball legend. Expectations shouldn't be high, as the sports are two different beasts. At least not high too early. Basketball player to tight end has some of the best hits in NFL history. Antonio Gates is the perfect example of a guy who went from a basketball player to a 2025 Hall-of-Famer. Again, don't expect these things but sit back and enjoy it because it will be fun. If Schieffelin's game translates to the football field, that's just an awesome bonus.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson basketball's Ian Schieffelin joins Tigers' football team as tight end
Clemson basketball's Ian Schieffelin joins Tigers' football team as tight end Show Caption Hide Caption Cade Klubnik on decision to return to Clemson , playing Texas in CFP, more Clemson eyes a national championship in 2025 thanks to the return of quarterback Cade Klubnik. The star player talks his growth this spring and more. As it turns out, his team's 69-67 loss to McNeese State in the first round of the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament wasn't the last time Ian Schieffelin would put on a Clemson uniform. It just won't be for the school's men's basketball team. Schieffelin, a burly senior forward who was a second-team All-ACC honoree last season, will be joining the Tigers' football team for the 2025 season, he announced Friday. 'Excited For The Next Chapter! Go Tigers!!' Schieffelin wrote in a post on social media. REQUIRED READING: ACC college football coach rankings: Dabo Swinney leads, Mike Norvell tumbles The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Schieffelin is listed on the team's official roster as a tight end. Schieffelin averaged a career-high 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last season for a Clemson team that won a program-record 27 games and earned a No. 5 seed to the NCAA Tournament. Despite being a senior, he entered the transfer portal last month, hoping he could earn an extra year of eligibility as the NCAA faces lawsuits over the eligibility timelines of college athletes. Eventually, his eyes turned to a different sport. As Schieffelin emerged as a standout for the Tigers' basketball team, Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney had publicly praised his potential as a football player, believing he could be a fit at tight end, offensive tackle or defensive end. "He'd play wherever he'd want to play," Swinney said in October 2024. "... I'll definitely have a spot." REQUIRED READING: Bill Belichick-Jordon Hudson interview reveals North Carolina may be headed for train wreck What was initially viewed as a joke became something more serious. Schieffelin told ESPN that Swinney called him two weeks ago offering him the opportunity to suit up for the Tigers next season. He'll join a Clemson roster that has five scholarship tight ends, but relatively little experience between them, with no player having more than 13 career catches. Jake Briningstool, the starting tight end for a Tigers team that won the ACC championship game and made the College Football Playoff in 2024, exhausted his eligibility after last season and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Schieffelin has football experience, as he played quarterback and tight end for Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia through his sophomore year. He'll become the latest multi-sport athlete at Clemson, which saw football stars DeAndre Hopkins and CJ Spiller also compete for the university's basketball and track teams, respectively. The path from college basketball to tight end isn't an uncharted one, either. Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates both played college basketball, though Gonzalez played three years of football at Cal, where he was a consensus All-American in 1996. As he was weighing Swinney's offer, Schieffelin told ESPN he spoke with Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who signed with the franchise after being a four-year basketball starter at VCU. Alie-Cox, who hadn't previously played football since his freshman year of high school, is entering his eighth NFL season.
