Sports

6-Foot-8 Clemson Hooper With No Eligibility Fuels Football ‘Transfer’ Rumors With Cryptic Update

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Clemson basketball player Ian Schieffelin eyes move to football.

iStockphoto / © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images


Ian Schieffelin just completed his fourth college basketball season with the Clemson Tigers. He is now out of NCAA eligibility, though he’s looking to extend his stay at the university.

The forward is currently in the transfer portal awaiting a potential ruling allowing him one final campaign. While he waits, he’s adding fuel to rumors of a move to football.

Schieffelin has been an integral piece of the Tigers‘ recent success on the hardwood. The veteran averaged a career-high 12.4 points per game as a senior to help Clemson reach the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season.

As a junior, he played a significant role in the team’s run to the Elite Eight. With limited NBA options, he’s pursuing other avenues for his athletic future.

Ian Schieffelin entered the transfer portal without eligibility.

The big man would be one of the most sought-after players on the market as he possesses size, production, and experience. With that said, he may not be set on leaving Clemson.

He’s awaiting an NCAA judgement on the consideration to allow a fifth season of play for college athletes. The change would apply to all sports if approved.

That decision could work two-fold for the Tigers. Rumors about Ian Schieffelin potentially joining the Clemson football team are swirling online. Larry Williams of Tiger Illustrated provided an update on the situation Wednesday.

Williams suggests that there is a real possibility that it happens. Details still need to be worked out. His role on the gridiron is unclear, though Dabo Swinney has commented on the forward’s move to football in the past.

“That’s my guy right there,” he said in an interview with local media. “When he gets done with basketball, I’m going to get him out here. He’s a football player over there playing basketball. I love that guy.”

The eligibility questions could be a moot point if moving across sports. NCAA rule states that when a player uses up eligibility in one sport, they are free to pursue other sports as long as they still have remaining eligibility within their five-year window.

In theory, he could be paid as a member of the football roster for one season before later exploring his basketball options. Swinney is open to giving him a cut in revenue sharing.

Ian Schieffelin became a fan favorite at Clemson, in part, due to his physicality and scrappiness. Swinney believes it would transition to the football field.

The forward further fanned the flames with an update on social media. He’s changed his X cover photo to include him as a high school football player.

Ian Schieffelin via X


Schieffelin played quarterback for his middle school team. “I was the one kid that could throw the ball far,” he said earlier this year. “I didn’t make many reads.”

He wouldn’t be under center for the Tigers. That job is Heisman trophy candidate Cade Klubnik’s to lose. Swinney did envision Schieffelin being a potential target, however, as a tight end. At 6-foot-8, he could be a dangerous redzone threat!

There is still a way to go before these whispers become reality. Both parties appear open to the idea. Ian Schieffelin won over the fanbase as a basketball star. He’d further grow his popularity with the move to football.