COLLEGE STATION — From standing out at Bowling Green to leading the SEC in sacks, Cashius Howell’s rise since joining Texas A&M football has been impressive.
After biding his time in 2024 behind Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton — drafted in the first and second rounds of last year’s NFL draft — 2025 gave Howell a chance to be the guy. The Kansas City, Mo., native Howell saw his snap count double, and as a result, so did his production, finishing last year with 11½ sacks and unanimous All-American honors for his efforts.
MORE: How A&M basketball used a halftime adjustment to take down Texas
Article continues below this ad
Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell (9) rushes Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon (2) during the first quarter Nov. 22, 2025, in College Station.
Sam Craft/Associated Press
Now, he’s set to bring his pass rush skills to the NFL, possibly as a highly paid first-round pick.
Here’s what to know about the former Texas A&M standout and how he could fare in the pros:
Cashius Howell bio
Article continues below this ad
Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.
Article continues below this ad
Notes: Unanimous All-American selection and first-team All-SEC in 2025. Started his collegiate career at Bowling Green after being a three-star recruit out of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo.
Cashius Howell draft profile
Most of this information will not be confirmed until Texas A&M’s pro day or the NFL Scouting Combine. Any reports are initial and not finalized.
Article continues below this ad
Hand size:Not yet available
40-yard dash time:Not yet available
Bench press:Not yet available
Article continues below this ad
Shuttle time:Not yet available
Cashius Howell scouting report
Strengths:Quick first step and violent at the point of attack. Excellent dip to get around pass blockers, using his speed and ankle bend to get around the edge efficiently. Tremendous competitive spirit and effort, bringing the intensity often required of the position.
Weaknesses:Questions remain about how effective he can be in the run game. His pass-rush arsenal isn’t complete right now, with a heavy reliance on speed and quickness rather than strength to win a 1-on-1 rep. He added mass in the offseason between his junior and senior years, with the weight staying relatively the same from 2024, but his body type noticeably bigger. Still, he may need to add a little more bulk to withstand the demands of the NFL.
Article continues below this ad
What our reporter noticed:Dominant at times, but always impactful even when the stat sheet didn’t show it. Howell’s ascent into the upper echelon of pass rushers in the nation was something I saw coming back in December 2024. All the raw tools and traits were there; he just needed the chance, and in 2025, he got it. A great locker room guy, he was loved by teammates and coaches, and didn’t seem bothered by media responsibilities that will surely increase at the next level.
Cashius Howell positional rankings
Rankings as of early January.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN:No. 3 outside linebacker
Article continues below this ad
Matt Miller, ESPN:No. 10 edge rusher
Jordan Reid, ESPN:No. 6 edge rusher
Steve Muench, ESPN:No. 5 edge rusher
Field Yates:No. 5 edge rusher
Article continues below this ad
Cashius Howell draft projections
Pro Football Focus:No. 19 to Carolina Panthers
Athlon Sports:No. 17 to Detroit Lions
Article continues below this ad
Tankathon: No. 20 to Dallas Cowboys
CBS Sports (Josh Edwards): No. 30 to New England Patriots
Cashius Howell stats by season
2021 (Bowling Green):Four games, six tackles
Article continues below this ad
2022 (Bowling Green):13 games, 22 tackles, two sacks, 2½ tackles for loss
2023 (Bowling Green):13 games, 28 tackles, 9½ sacks, 10½ tackles for loss
2024 (Texas A&M):13 games, 40 tackles, four sacks, 8½ tackles for loss
Article continues below this ad
2025 (Texas A&M):13 games, 31 tackles, 11½ sacks, 14 tackles for loss