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
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:
Notes: Unanimous All-American selection and first-team All-SEC in 2025... Started his collegiate career at Bowling Green, where he was third-team All-MAC after being a three-star recruit out of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo... Led the MAC and SEC in sacks at different points in his career... Had six-sack game in high school and recorded a sack on three consecutive snaps for the Aggies.
All results per the NFL Scouting Combine, unless otherwise noted.
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.
What our reporter noticed:Dominant at times, but always made an impact 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... A great locker room guy and didn't seem bothered by media responsibilities that will surely increase at the next level.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN:No. 51 overall, No. 10 edge
Pro Football Focus: No. 26 overall, No. 5 edge rusher
Jordan Reid, ESPN: No. 31 to the New England Patriots
Pro Football Focus:No. 29 to the Kansas City Chiefs
CBS Sports (Mike Renner): No. 42 to the New Orleans Saints
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
2025 (Texas A&M):13 games, 31 tackles, 11½ sacks, 14 tackles for loss