AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn defensive lineman Sen'Derrick Marks is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Marks, a Mobile native who announced his decision Tuesday, was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference pick by coaches this season after making 32 tackles, including 10 for a loss.

"I've had a great experience during the last four years at Auburn," Marks said in a statement. "However, I feel that it's in my best interest to enter my name into the 2009 NFL draft. It's always been a dream of mine and I feel that I'm ready to advance to the next level.

"Auburn is, and always will be, a special place to me. "

The 6-foot-1, 294-pound Marks was a key part of an Auburn defense last season that finished No. 15 nationally in scoring defense despite a number of key injuries.

He had 10 tackles for loss as a junior. Marks started 37 games for Auburn and finished with 30 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He said he made the decision to leave Auburn even before receiving his evaluation from the NFL draft advisory board that would indicate his draft prospects.

Junior defensive end Antonio Coleman has also submitted his name for an evaluation. Marks said he doesn't know Coleman's intentions.