SIDELINES : Clemson’s Allen Leaves School

Tailback Terry Allen has withdrawn from school, but Clemson’s second-leading all-time rusher has not decided whether he will play his senior year or turn pro, a university spokeswoman said today.

If he opts to leave, Allen would be the third junior to forgo his senior season for a chance at the National Football League. Alabama linebacker Keith McCants, one of the best players in the country, and Arkansas fullback Barry Foster have both announced they will turn pro.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Allen can still go to summer school and be eligible to play for the Tigers this fall.

Annabelle Vaughan, assistant sports information director, said that Allen had been thinking about withdrawing since December and that the resignation of Coach Danny Ford last week and the hiring of Ken Hatfield this week as the school’s new head football coach did not prompt the decision.