Dabo Swinney has a way with words. He's a master motivator, a charismatic preacher of the gridiron gospel. But even for a man who has perfected the art of the verbal flourish, his recruiting pitch to a potential player this summer was... unique.
"You can go play in, like, Afghanistan," Swinney told him, "or somewhere you can come be here."
The target of this unconventional call was Ian Schieffelin, a name synonymous with Clemson basketball for the past four years. A fan favorite known for his relentless hustle and tenacious rebounding, Schieffelin was fresh off a successful season and contemplating his professional basketball future. The NBA had shown interest, and overseas leagues were a possibility.
But Swinney had a different vision. And on the other end of the line, Schieffelin was listening.
"That was word for word what he told me," Schieffelin recalled with a laugh. "I don't think I'd be playing in Afghanistan if I also played basketball, but his point got across. I'll say that."
And just like that, a seed that had been planted years ago—with Swinney occasionally muttering to Schieffelin in the hallway, "I wonder what you'd look like in shoulder pads"—had finally blossomed. The Clemson basketball legend was officially trading the hardwood for the turf, joining the football team as a tight end.
The decision was far from easy. Basketball was Schieffelin's "first love," the sport he had dedicated his life to. But the opportunity to return to a place he calls "home" and make an impact on a different stage was too compelling to ignore.
"That call from Dabo was kind of eye-opening," Schieffelin said. "The opportunity to come back and just be able to impact this area even more was just huge in the decision-making. Clemson's family, and the opportunity was just way bigger than myself."
The transition, however, has been a crash course in humility. Despite being a seasoned collegiate athlete, Schieffelin admitted he's starting from "ground zero" on the football field. He's learning everything from basic footwork to blocking techniques, soaking up knowledge from coaches and teammates alike.
"A lot of those high schoolers knew more about football than I did," he confessed. "But I've been out there with Coach Rich and Dabo, just kind of teaching me the basics, and it's helped me get ahead, I guess, with where I already was."
The physicality of the game has been another major adjustment. Schieffelin, a self-described "physical player" on the basketball court, is quickly learning the difference.
"It's a little different than basketball," he said. "Everyone plays like I did in basketball." His first taste of contact came in a recent padded practice. "I got squared up a couple times," he said with a wry smile. "Kind of part of the game."
While Schieffelin is still finding his footing, he's found a mentor in Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox, another former college basketball player who successfully made the transition to the NFL.
"He was one of the first persons [SIC] that reached out," Schieffelin said. "I saw myself in the same shoes as him."
But even with a new sport and a new path, some things never change. When asked if any of his new football teammates have challenged him to a one-on-one basketball game, Schieffelin didn't hesitate.
"If you ask the whole football team, they're better than me at basketball," he deadpanned. "They firmly believe that they would beat me. I'm just not wasting my time."
Schieffelin’s journey is a testament to his faith, his character, and his unwavering love for Clemson. He's not here for personal glory; he's here to do whatever it takes to help the team win, whether that means catching a touchdown or handing out water bottles.
And as for that famous run down the hill? Schieffelin admitted to feeling "a little nervous" about the steep incline. But for a player who has already made an unprecedented leap of faith, a simple run down a hill seems like the least of his worries. Ian Schieffelin is back home, and he's ready to cook.