CLEMSON — Ian Schieffelin does not feel like a freshman now that he is playing football for Clemson, but he definitely feels like the new guy.

“It’s easy to fit in with these guys, so it’s not like being a freshman. They kind of respect what I’ve already done here,” the former basketball standout said. “I definitely feel like the new guy when it comes to being on the field, but these guys have made it easy for me to fit in.”

Schieffelin joined the Clemson football team this summer after head coach Dabo Swinney was able to convince him he has a possible future in the sport. Schieffelin, who played four years for Brad Brownell’s basketball team, had one year of eligibility to play another sport.

On the basketball court, Schieffelin was part of one of the most successful runs in school history. He helped lead the Tigers to their second Elite Eight appearance in 2024, the program’s first since 1980.

This past season, he garnered All-ACC status, while helping Clemson to a 27-7 record, including an 18-2 mark in the ACC. The 27 wins, as well as the 18 conference wins, are both school records for wins in a season.

Now, he is adjusting to life as a tight end, a position he has not played since he was in the eighth grade. When he entered high school the following year, the coaches moved him to quarterback.

“I had the strongest arm, so they moved me,” he said.

Schieffelin will not be moved to quarterback at Clemson, but he is okay with that, he likes playing tight end. Playing college basketball has helped prepare him for football, at least from an athletic standpoint.

“Athletically, I feel as athletic as the guy next to me and as the guy across from me,” he said.

Where is football different?

“Sometimes, maybe not strength wise… Lifting, we don’t do as much in basketball, but like, athletically, like jumping up, side-to-side and moving, I feel as good as the guy next to me,” Schieffelin said.

Later this week, Clemson will go to full pads for this first time in camp. When that happens, it will be a whole new experience for Schieffelin.

“There are some big dudes out here,” he said smiling. “It’s fun. I got out there today and we hit a little bit, a little more than we have been hitting. I got squared up a couple of times. That is just part of the game.

“You just have to learn. I would not say the hard way, it is just how football is but just learning all of that all over again.”