Suspended Enis Decides to Forgo Final Year at Penn State for the NFL

All-America running back Curtis Enis, suspended by Coach Joe Paterno for Penn State’s appearance in the Citrus Bowl after accepting a suit from a sports agent, is leaving Penn State and making himself eligible for the NFL draft.

“I would like to begin by apologizing to my family, teammates, coaches and fans for recent events,” Enis, a junior, said Monday in Harrisburg, Pa. “I made a mistake and I accept full responsibility for my actions. . . . I am going to forgo my senior season at Penn State and enter the 1998 NFL draft.”

Enis, who rushed for 1,363 yards and 19 touchdowns, violated NCAA rules when he took the suit from agent Jeff Nalley. Enis also lied to Paterno about it.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Robert Jubelirer is calling for the prosecution of Nalley.

“We see players and schools paying the price for rules violations. The unethical sports agents should not walk away from the mess they create,” Jubelirer said.

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Iowa quarterback Matt Sherman, who hasn’t played since mid-October because of a broken right hand, may start in Wednesday’s Sun Bowl game against No. 16 Arizona State.

“If it’s real close, we’re going to start Sherman because he did a great job for us for 3 1/2 years,” Coach Hayden Fry said.

Randy Reiners had replaced Sherman.