Sportsvival will get you ready for the NFL Draft by delivering daily, film‑driven scouting that pinpoints the prospects, traits, and testing that matter most. Cashius Howell is Texas A&M’s breakout edge who paired an SEC‑leading pass‑rush with three‑down playmaking in 2025, putting him squarely on first‑round radars.
Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Background and Recruit Profile
Howell is a Kansas City, Missouri, native who starred at Rockhurst High School before beginning his college career at Bowling Green and transferring to Texas A&M to test himself in the SEC. His move to College Station paid immediate dividends as he became the focal point of Mike Elko’s defensive front and a national award candidate.
Physical Profile and Measurables
Listed at 6‑2, 248 lbs, Howell blends length and functional power with a sudden first step and bend that allow him to win outside and collapse pockets from the edge. NFL evaluators will want to confirm his testing numbers, but his tape shows a player who can rush, set the edge, and stay on the field in base and sub packagesThe Draft Network.
College Production and Accolades
Howell led the SEC with 11.5 sacks in 2025 and finished the regular season with 29 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and 14.5 tackles for a los. His breakout earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the Walter Camp All‑America First Team, cementing his status as one of college football’s premier defenders this season.
Strengths
Pass‑Rush Toolkit: Explosive first step, bend, and a growing counter package that creates consistent pressure and sacks.
Three‑Down Value: Comfortable in run support and on the field in obvious passing situations, increasing his NFL utility.
Motor and Finish: Plays with urgency and consistently finishes plays, traits that translate to pro coaching rooms and locker‑room leadership.
Weaknesses
Hand‑fighting and Counter Timing: Needs more refined hand placement and counters to sustain rushes against NFL tackles.
Run‑Fit Consistency: Can tighten run‑fit angles in power‑run scenarios to avoid being washed out on contact.
Testing Verification: Strong Combine/Pro Day numbers would validate his athletic ceiling and likely boost his draft stock.
Projection and Comparison
Draft Projection:
Early Round 1 candidate if pre‑draft testing confirms explosiveness and agility. Role: Day‑one starter as an NFL edge rusher in 4‑3 or hybrid fronts with upside as a full‑time pass‑rusher.
Pro Comparison: Think Rashan Gary‑type traits- a blend of power and suddenness who can impact games as a rusher and hold up in base defense when asked.
Sportsvival View
Sportsvival views Cashius Howell as a high‑upside, production‑backed edge prospect whose 11.5 sacks and SEC Defensive Player of the Year award make him one of the 2026 class’s most compelling defensive names. Continued technical refinement and strong pre‑draft testing could lock Howell into a top‑15 selection and a foundational pass‑rusher role at the next level.