Clemson's Ian Schieffelin, a 6-foot-8 power forward, is set to join the Tigers football team as a tight end, following an unexpected offer from head coach Dabo Swinney. Initially skeptical about the feasibility of switching sports, Schieffelin’s interest piqued when Swinney presented a serious opportunity to train with the football squad for six months. This decision sees him forgo potential professional basketball aspirations to don the Clemson jersey once again, this time on the gridiron.

Schieffelin's basketball career featured impressive stats, averaging 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last season. However, with limited prospects in basketball due to eligibility issues, he welcomed the challenge of exploring football, a sport he once played as a quarterback in high school. The Tigers are lacking depth at tight end after the departure of Jake Briningstool to the Kansas City Chiefs, intensifying Schieffelin's eagerness to help his new team succeed. With optimism, he plans to condition and build rapport with his teammates while keeping the door open for a return to basketball depending on how his football journey unfolds.