Dwayne Allen says he has 'difficult' NFL decision ahead

CLEMSON — – Over the next month, Dwayne Allen says he has a “very difficult” decision to make.

Clemson’s junior tight end just completed the program’s best-ever regular season by a tight end; his 48 receptions, 577 receiving yards and eight touchdowns are all single-season highs for a Tiger tight end.

Now, he must decide whether he’ll return for his senior season, or cash in on that success by declaring for the NFL draft. Allen is considered by ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay as the top tight end available in the 2012 NFL draft, should he declare, and could be a first-round selection.

NFL Draft decision "very difficult" for Allen

None

“Having the coaching staff and teammates I have around me, Clemson is a special place,” Allen said. “People come around Clemson and they don’t’ leave. I’ve got a big decision to make. I’m going to sit down with my family, friends and coaches, and try and make the best decision not only for myself but for Clemson going forward.”

Allen said he hasn’t sent in an evaluation request to the NFL draft advisory board to learn his projected draft status, but plans to do so soon.

With the regular season over and an ACC title won, he has time to reflect on his future, something he said he has yet to do.

“My total focus was on winning a championship, being the best leader I could be for this team,” he said. “Now everything is blitzing me and I’m a quarterback trying to find my hot (read). A couple days will be good for me, to sit back and think about things and find out what I want to do.”

This year, Allen emerged as a team leader and total product. He had two catches for 32 yards in the ACC title-game win over Virginia Tech, but both went for touchdowns. He became the first tight end in ACC title game history with two touchdown catches in a single game.

It was a remarkable night, given the feeling he had in his last game at Bank of America Stadium – the 31-26 Meineke Car Care Bowl loss to South Florida, which clinched Clemson’s first losing season since 1998.

Allen had two catches for 17 yards, and had only five catches for 47 yards total in the final six games of the season.

“For me, it was one of the lowest of lows,” he said. “At that point in the season, I had touched the ball, the last six games (five times) after having (28) catches the first (eight) games. My mind was really out of it in that game. It was one of the lowest points in my career, and to turn around and have one of the highest points in my career… it felt great to be a part of a total team effort to bring a championship back.”

Freeman a Rimington Trophy finalist: Junior center Dalton Freeman was named Monday as one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s top collegiate center. The Rimington will be awarded Thursday in Orlando. The other finalists are Oklahoma State’s Grant Garner, Georgia’s Ben Jones, Wisconsin’s Peter Konz, Michigan’s David Molk and Alabama’s William Vlachos.

“It’s something I really can’t wrap my hands around,” Freeman said. “It’s an unbelievable honor and a dream come true.”

Freeman said he would also submit his name to the NFL draft advisory board for evaluation, although centers are rarely first-round picks, the accepted standard for a player to forego his final year of eligibility.

Swinney an Eddie Robinson Award finalist: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was named Monday as one of five finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award, given to the nation’s top coach. The other finalists are Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, Michigan’s Brady Hoke, LSU’s Les Miles and Kansas State’s Bill Snyder. The winner will be announced Dec. 15. Swinney led Clemson to its first ACC title since 1991 and its first 10-win season since 1990, winning the Atlantic Division for the second time in his three full seasons as head coach.

He is already reaping the rewards of that ACC title; it kicked in a contract incentive that elevates his salary to the average of the ACC’s top seven coaches; he is expected to make at least $2.2 million annually, up from $1.75 million this season.