Cashius Howell DL/EDGE Texas A&M | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Cashius Howell DL/EDGE Texas A&M
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/04/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 05/04/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.65 seconds (93%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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69% |
| Pass Rush: |
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96% |
| Run Defense: |
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74% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#88
Position rank:
#22
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| College Games: 42 College Snaps: 1240 | ||
ESPN RATING: 73/100
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247 RATING: 80/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.3 (87%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Murphy - UCLA |
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79% |
| Isaiah McGuire - Missouri |
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77% |
| Antwaun Powell-Ryland - Virginia Tech |
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75% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Cashius Howell, a dynamic edge rusher from Bowling Green, emerged as a dominant force in the MAC during his collegiate career. The Kansas City native made his mark early, setting a school record with six sacks in a single game as a high school junior. At Bowling Green, Howell's development accelerated rapidly, culminating in a breakout redshirt sophomore season where he racked up 9.5 sacks, tying for the MAC lead and ranking 16th nationally.Howell's journey from a three-star recruit to a sought-after transfer speaks volumes about his work ethic and upside. His impressive 2023 campaign, which earned him third-team All-MAC honors, showcased his ability to disrupt opposing offenses consistently. Howell's production, including 28 tackles, 10.5 for loss, and 9.5 sacks in his final season at Bowling Green, caught the eye of Texas A&M, where he committed to play under new head coach Mike Elko.
Standing at 6'4" and weighing 235 pounds, Howell combines prototypical edge rusher size with explosive athleticism. His background as a multi-sport athlete, having also lettered in basketball, is evident in his on-field mobility and agility.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive get-off and twitchy first step, consistently threatening the edge and stressing tackles' kick-slide timing.
- Displays exceptional ankle flexion and hip sink when bending the arc, showcasing natural dip-and-rip ability around the edge.
- Developed a varied pass-rush repertoire, including an effective inside counter and a devastating long-arm bull rush.
- High-motor player with excellent pursuit skills, consistently making backside plays and wearing down opponents in the fourth quarter.
- Uses length effectively to establish half-man leverage, demonstrating good hand usage to shed blocks in run and pass situations.
- Steep developmental curve indicates coachability and suggests his ceiling is far from reached.
- Scheme-versatile player capable of playing in a two-point stance or as a hand-in-the-dirt edge setter.
- Exhibits plus football IQ, maintaining backside containment and rarely getting fooled by misdirection or RPO action.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal anchor strength for an NFL edge, potentially limiting his effectiveness as a base end against power-running schemes.
- Point-of-attack play needs refinement, particularly in terms of stack-and-shed technique against offensive tackles.
- Inconsistent tackle radius and closing burst lead to missed opportunities in the backfield and in space.
- Limited reps in coverage may hinder his ability to play in zone-blitz packages or more complex 3-4 schemes at the next level.
- Level of competition in the MAC raises questions about how his production will translate against NFL-caliber tackles with longer reach and better foot quickness.
Scouting Report: Summary
Howell's profile is that of a high-upside edge rusher with the potential to contribute immediately as a designated pass-rush specialist. His lightning-quick first step and refined hand-fighting techniques should translate well to passing downs in the NFL. As he continues to pack good weight onto his frame and develops a more robust arsenal of power moves, Howell could evolve into a every-down player.Scheme fit will be paramount for Howell's NFL success. He would thrive in a wide-9 technique or as a stand-up rusher in an odd front that emphasizes his ability to win with speed and bend. His motor and athletic traits make him an attractive day-two option for teams looking to inject youth into their pass-rush rotation. While he may not crack the starting lineup immediately, Howell's ceiling suggests he could become a valuable chess piece in sub-packages before developing into a full-time edge defender.
Howell's journey from MAC standout to Power Five transfer indicates he's prepared for the jump in competition. His blend of twitch, production, and developmental upside make him an intriguing mid-round target with the potential to outplay his draft slot and become a key cog in an NFL defensive front seven. With proper coaching to refine his run defense and expand his pass-rush toolbox, Howell could emerge as a diamond in the rough for a team willing to invest in his development.
Written By:
WYATT BROOKS (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Cashius Howell (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
70.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
15.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.