Michigan State University Athletics
Askew Selected By Cincinnati In 2004 NFL Draft
4/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 25, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State defensive tackle Matthias Askew has been selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2004 National Football League Draft Sunday, April 25. Askew, who announced his decision to forgo his senior season on Jan. 12, became the No. 18 pick in the fourth round and the No. 114 selection overall.
"My agent (Drew Rosenhouse) thought I would go somewhere in the middle of the second round, with the third round being the worst-case scenario," Askew said. "The draft has been kind of unpredictable though."
"Matthias Askew is a young guy, only a junior," Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's a good inside tackle with the ability to rush the passer. He can still develop even at 6-5, 310 pounds, so he's a good prospect. This is a guy that should come in and really compete with the other players we already have here. Matthias has a good opportunity to make our football team."
"Matthias Askew is a very young player," Bengal defensive line coach Jay Hayes said. "He came out as a junior, so he has a lot of potential. He's got great measurables, so that was one of the reasons we really liked him.
"I told him to bring his lunch pail. We definitely feel that with his size, growth potential and the flashes that he shows on the field that he could be really good. He's one of those big guys inside that can really rush the passer. Matthias has long arms and a good club move."
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Askew appeared in all 13 games in 2003, starting the last 11 games in a row. He led the defensive line in tackles, recording a career-best 69 stops (52 solos, 17 assists). Askew finished third on the team in tackles for losses (11 for 55 yards) and sacks (6 for 41 yards), with both totals representing career highs. He also forced two fumbles (one each vs. Louisiana Tech and Western Michigan).
Askew, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., produced seven tackles, including two for losses (3 yards), in his final collegiate game vs. Nebraska in the MasterCard Alamo Bowl. He registered eight stops each vs. Ohio State and Notre Dame, matching his career high (vs. Purdue, 2001). Askew posted six tackles each vs. Michigan, Minnesota and Indiana. In the 2003 season opener, he sacked Western Michigan's Chad Munson four times for 28 yards, falling just one short of the Spartan single-game record (by Travis Davis, 5 for 37 yards vs. Ohio State, 1987).
"Matthias Askew has a big body and uses his hands extremely well," Coach Smith said. "I certainly believe Matthias would have benefited from another year in college. As a coach, I know he could have accomplished more both on the field and in the classroom. I hope that some day Matthias returns to campus to finish his degree."
"Matthias Askew is a big guy that can run," Michigan State defensive line coach Steve Stripling said. "He made great strides as a pass rusher last season. The best thing about Matthias is that he's a big body that can defend the middle and take on double-team blocks plus, he has the ability to pressure the quarterback.
"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."
In three seasons, Askew saw action in 35 games, including 19 starting assignments. He finished his career with 144 tackles (99 solos, 45 assists), including 18 tackles for losses (72 yards) and seven sacks (45 yards).
