Speculation ran through the fanbase earlier this week when it was rumored that Ian Schieffelin would be leaving basketball to join the Clemson football team.
It felt like a crazy rumor considering he was in the transfer portal (a recent announcement) and he hadn't played football since high school. Dabo Swinney, however, had shown interest in adding him to his roster for years and he finally made that come to fruition.
While it was all speculation, nothing was confirmed.
Until Friday afternoon.
Schieffelin announced on his social media pages the "next chapter" would be for him to join the football team. The graphic he used shows him with a football jersey taking over his basketball jersey with Memorial Stadium in the background.
God Bless! pic.twitter.com/cflFFkGsnJ
— Ian Schieffelin (@ian_schieffelin) May 2, 2025
Honestly, when this first happened, I thought it was a ridiculous April Fool's-like rumor. I didn't think there was any validity to it, especially since it seemed like Schieffelin lived and breathed hoops and was a really good player. It felt like he was going to try and pursue a pro career. But Dabo must have talked him into trying football because he has the size, strength, and athleticism to excel.
Of course he'd be a good tight end. Which defenders are going to have an easy time defending a 6-foot-8, 240-pound tight end who can go up to get the ball and who can absorb contact and probably get by would-be tacklers? Not many.
Schieffelin is officially ready to suit up for Swinney and the Tigers this fall in Death Valley as Clemson will begin the season likely as a top-five team.
Imagine he wins an ACC title and a national title -- on the gridiron.