Cashius Howell was an under-discussed pickup from the transfer portal when he originally committed to Texas A&M football. With a lot of attention on Nic Scourton, there was a little less heed paid to Howell's addition than there might have been otherwise— but down the stretch of the season, he really began to show his stuff.
Howell's performances just kept getting better and better, as he began to shine particularly in the bowl game. Fans have known that the Aggies' performance along the defensive line in 2025 will have a lot to do with how Howell plays, and there's a lot of hope for him to shine.
That said, it's all been flashes and small hints of brilliance so far from Howell, given that fans aren't privy to his development through the spring and summer. One of those who has a front-row seat to that development, though, is Mike Elko— and the Aggie head man made a point to single out Howell's return as a massive get for A&M next year.
Mike Elko details how massive Cashius Howell's return is for Texas A&M football in 2025
Elko was effusive in his praise of Howell in a recent appearance at the Capital City A&M Club, discussing just how big his return was for Texas A&M football going into next year:
Mike Elko to the Capital City A&M Club: "Cashius Howell coming back was really, really big. I don't think people understand how high of an NFL Draft prospect he really is."
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) May 29, 2025
"I think he has unbelievable potential to have a really strong year."
Howell is the prototypical size for an NFL edge rusher, and he's shown some coverage ability as well, which could make him an intimidating prospect as an outside linebacker type in a 3-man front scheme. His NFL upside is not something that's been discussed a whole lot going into next season, but he is absolutely a guy that can blow up quickly once the season begins.
Texas A&M never mustered that one, dominant pass rusher in Mike Elko's first year, a guy in the mold of Tyree Johnson from his 2021 defense in College Station. Howell can be that and much more if he stays healthy this year, and that sort of development will be absolutely essential to defensive progression for Texas A&M football to succeed in 2025.