Matthias Askew's decision to enter the 2004 NFL Draft has left both fans and analysts divided.

The junior defensive lineman announced Monday he would forgo his senior season in order to pursue a professional career.

Stewart Mandel, an online reporter for Sports Illustrated, said Askew will probably be a third or fourth-round pick, not faring as well as former Spartans who also left early.

Wide receiver Charles Rogers and running back T.J. Duckett left in 2002 and 2001, respectively. Both players were first-round draft picks.

"They were rarities," Mandel said. "You're talking about two of the best players to come through MSU in the last five years.

"Charlie was the top receiver in the country his final season, and there was no question about whether he was ready to go to the NFL.

"It's a little more risky for (Askew) because if he didn't get picked in the first few rounds, he's going to wish he could've continued through his senior year."

Mandel added Askew was a "middle-of-the-pack" player compared to his predecessors.

Jeremy Crabtree, editor-in-chief of rivals100.com, said Askew will need to have the same drive as Rogers and Duckett in order to succeed in the pros.

"If he keeps that same mentality, he's going to do really well in the NFL," he said. "It's great to see he developed into a major college player and it's good that he's going to be able to take his playing skills to another level."

The 6-foot-6, 294-pound Askew led the defensive line this season with 69 tackles, a career best.

The junior was third for the team in tackles for a loss with 11 for 55 yards and made 6 sacks for 4 yards on the season. He posted seven tackles vs. Nebraska at the Alamo Bowl, his final collegiate game. In the 2003 season opener, he was one short of the Spartan single-game sack record, bringing down Western Michigan's Chad Munson four times for 28 yards.

Askew had 46 tackles his sophomore year, ranking him second for the defensive line. He appeared in all 12 games of 2002 and in 10 of 2001.

Askew was nationally ranked in the top 20 for high school defensive linemen. At Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he set the Class 6A record for career sacks with 57. He also was a two-time, all-state selection and two-time Broward County Player of the Year.

Some fans feel Askew's decision to go pro will hurt the Spartans' defense next season. Hospitality business freshman Nick Walters, a member of the "Corner Blitz" student cheering section, said he would prefer to have Askew's talent leading the defensive line.

"He was a big asset to the defense," Walters said. "I would have preferred he'd stayed."