Texas A&M’s 2025 pass rush will be led by senior edge Cashius Howell, who, after transferring from Bowling Green before the 2024 season, served as a rotational defensive lineman with the Aggies, but outshined the likes of Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton, who were both selected in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
This offseason, Howell has been the most talked-about returning Aggie defender among the Texas A&M media sphere, ending the 2024 campaign as the program’s highest-rated edge rusher with an 82.4 defensive grade. Howell’s 6’4″ frame and elite versatility as a defensive lineman and outside pass rusher make him indispensable based on coach Mike Elko’s expectations after taking over as the team’s new defensive playcaller.
However, despite his elite traits and 15 sacks over his last two seasons, Howell was left out of Pro Football Focus’s latest Top 10 edge rusher rankings regarding the best 2026 NFL draft prospects at the position. It’s fair to note that PFF is likely waiting to see how Howell performs now that Elko is calling plays, which will dictate how/where he lines up, and how he is deployed in the pass rush.
Still, it’s up to Cashius Howell to prove that he’s one of the top defensive prospects, which will require the senior not just to produce big numbers but also to demonstrate on-field leadership and durability during SEC play, as this will determine Texas A&M’s outlook in close games.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.