(EAST LANSING) - Junior defensive tackle Matthias Askew has declared for the NFL draft. The 6-6, 299-pounder from Ft. Lauderdale, FL had six sacks and 11 tackles for loss including two in MSU's loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Alamo Bowl.
With athletic big men who can rush the passer at a premium at the NFL level, Askew feels he might be able to sneak into the late first round. MSU head coach John L. Smith wished Askew well.
"I wish Matthias Askew only the best as he pursues his dream to play in the National Football League," Smith said. "The pro scouts like his big body and the way he uses his hands. I hope that he can make himself into a first-round pick."
Most scouts project Askew as a late second round pick, but that could all change -for better or for worse - at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
Defensive line coach Steve Stripling believes Askew would have been a consensus first rounder if he would have stayed another year in East Lansing.
"Matthias Askew is a big guy that can run," Stripling said. "He made great strides as a pass-rusher last season.
"There's no question Matthias would have benefited from another year in college. He grew up a lot during the course of the 2003 season, but he could have used another year to mature. Plus, Matthias could have improved his strength even more."
Askew totaled 69 tackles for the Spartans who are left with a huge hole in the middle of their defensive line for 2004.