Cashius Howell is a name that you'll hear many Aggie fans mention as a possible breakout player for the 2025 football season. After spending most of last season behind first-rounder Shemar Stewart or second-rounder Nic Scourton, Howell looks like he's going to be the new premier pass rusher in Aggieland with both end positions open.
The Aggies are famous for putting some of the top defensive ends currently playing into the league, with Von Miller and now Myles Garrett both coming from Aggieland. There's quite some cache that comes with being the top sack artist in the maroon and white, and Howell could be the next guy to capitalize on that.
Ahead of what could be a great season for Howell, he's beginning to get more and more respect from national outlets as well as local coverage. With the 2025 NFL draft now having finished and eyes looking forward to next year, ESPN just gave Howell one of the greatest compliments possible.
ESPN gives Cashius Howell massive respect by projecting him as first-rounder in 2026 NFL Draft
In a first-round mock draft released this morning by ESPN, there is one Aggie present in the first round. That is none other than Howell, who the author, Jordan Reid, projects as going to the Lions with the 29th pick.
Way-Too-Early 2026 Mock Draft
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) May 1, 2025
• An intro to some new names
• Wide open races at QB1, WR1 and CB1
• Another strong DL class
• Draft order is inverse Super Bowl oddshttps://t.co/k7L0xwNgfn
Though that's near the back of the top 32 picks, it's still a first-round selection. That's some high praise for Howell and how he projects this year for this Texas A&M team.
Howell is not the only Aggie who has been projected as a first-rounder, either. PFF released a mock first round recently as well which saw Ar'maj Reed-Adams and Taurean York going in the top 32 selections as well.
This is not to say that the Aggies are now locked in for a surefire three first round selections, but the fact that they're back in discussions like this after being absent from them for so long is a great sign. It speaks to the talent on the roster and how well Mike Elko has already been developing that talent.
Hopefully this prediction comes true for Howell. If it does, it means he will have had a breakout 2025 season for the Aggies— and that's something every single one of the maroon and white faithful would love to see.