Clemson PF takes Dabo deal, joins football group

• < img src ="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/columnists/full/hale_david.png&h=80&w=80&scale=crop"alt=" "width="40"height="40"

• / > David HaleMay 2, 2025, 01:02 PM ET Close College football reporter.Joined ESPN in 2012. Graduate of the University of Delaware.For months
• , Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney had actually joked with Ian

Schieffelin that the 6-foot-8 power forward for the Tigers’men’s basketball team would make an exceptional tight end, but Schieffelin presumed it was all in good enjoyable. Two weeks back, nevertheless, he got a call from Swinney with a severe deal: invest the next six months with the Tigers football group and see what happens.Schieffelin announced on Instagram on Friday that he is taking Swinney up on the offer, giving up any

pro basketball prospects for now in favor of one last season in a Clemson jersey– this time on the gridiron instead of the hardwood.”I’ve been just training for basketball, preparing yourself for the next level,”Schieffelin informed ESPN.”Dabo simply walked me through the chance he was willing to provide me, and everything sounded terrific, something I wished to jump on. It truly just stimulated my interest in desiring to try, and having the ability to place on a Clemson jersey once again was very attracting to me. To be able to be coached by Dabo and [tight ends coach Kyle] Richardson is just a substantial opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” Schieffelin blossomed into among the crucial cogs for the Tigers ‘hoops team the past 2 years. He averaged 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last season as Clemson earned a 5-seed in the NCAA competition, losing to McNeese in the very first round.He had actually gotten in the transfer portal last month hoping for a 5th year of eligibility in the middle of a number of ongoing suits against the NCAA, though Schieffelin stated the possibility of a result in time for him to play basketball in 2025-26 was slim. He had actually been preparing for a crack at the pros– most likely overseas or in the G League– when Swinney called with the offer.” I ‘d never dismiss me going back to basketball,” Schieffelin said. “I’ll see how these next six months go, see how advancement goes, see if I truly like playing football. However I believe this is a great opportunity for the next six months.”Clemson lost beginning tight end Jake Briningstool after last season.

Briningstool, who signed as an undrafted complimentary representative with the Kansas City Chiefs last week, played in 48 games and made 127 catches over four years at Clemson. The Tigers’ depth chart at the position is thin on experience, with Josh Sapp(13 catches), Olsen Patt-Henry(12 catches)and Banks Pope(1 catch)the just tight ends on the group to have recorded a reception.Editor’s Picks 1 Related In October,

Swinney teased his interest in including Schieffelin to his roster, suggesting he would suit nearly anywhere on the field for the Tigers.”He could play tight end, D-end. He could play whatever he wanted to play

. He ‘d be an astounding left take on,”Swinney stated. “I’ll absolutely have a spot. We have a lot of rev share ready too if he wants to pass up anywhere he’s going [

after basketball]” Schieffelin said he hadn’t taken Swinney’s ideas seriously during basketball season, presuming the coach was just teasing, however when the opportunity ended up being real, he quickly understood the vision Swinney had for him. “The call two weeks back was really severe,

“Schieffelin stated,” and I believed, perhaps it’s an opportunity to stay around a bit longer and join a championship game competitor.”Swinney stated he believes Schieffelin can make the relocation and prosper at college football.”He has elite football measurables that I think will equate well, “Swinney stated. “I’m looking forward to assisting him transition and construct a football structure that will give him a chance to not only help us at Clemson but also give him a possibility to play pro football.

It needs to be enjoyable.”Schieffelin stated he is not expecting to earn severe NIL money but does believe his physique might allow him to bloom into a potential NFL prospect.He played quarterback as a ninth grader before choosing to focus on basketball the following year. Schieffelin said he will spend the next few months

dealing with conditioning and strength gains to prepare for the rigors of football as well as working to construct relationships with his new colleagues, however he said he does not have

any set expectations for the season. “Playing college basketball for 4 years, I’m utilized to the grind and utilized to work,”Schieffelin stated.”However it looks different on the football side, so simply getting in the weight room and learning whatever.”Before making his choice, Schieffelin stated he talked to Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who was a four-year starter in basketball for VCU before signing with Indianapolis. Alie-Cox hadn’t played football given that his freshman year of high school but is now entering his 8th NFL season.”We discussed what entered into his decision to go the football path,” Schieffelin said.”He helped me feeling in one’s bones why he chose, and it made me choose to just offer it a chance and see where I could take it.”Alie-Cox is among a handful of basketball players who have made an effective shift to football. Greg Paulus played hoops at Duke before becoming the starting quarterback at Syracuse in 2009. Jimmy Graham and Julius Peppers played both sports in college before ending up being All-Pro NFL players. Antonio Gates played basketball at Kent State before offering football a try. He was announced as a Pro Football Hall of Popularity inductee in February.”Simply having the ability to take on these guys and effect the group any way I can,”Schieffelin stated of his objectives. “I’m going into this very positive and prepared to find out. Having the ability to compete every day is something I take pleasure in. To learn football and have fun.”Possibly I’ll be actually great, perhaps I’ll be really bad. It’s something that deserved a shot. And having the ability to put a Clemson jersey on once again is actually special to me, and to do it this time in Death Valley is going to be amazing.”