Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell Draws NFL Draft Interest

How the Aggies' star pass rusher compares to other top EDGE prospects

Feb. 19, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell is projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after a dominant senior season. Howell was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and led the conference in sacks, but his relatively short arm length compared to typical EDGE prospects could give some teams pause despite his impressive production.

Why it matters

Howell's draft stock will be closely watched, as the Aggies look to produce another high-round defensive talent under head coach Mike Elko. His performance could impact how teams value pass rushers with slightly shorter arms in the modern NFL.

The details

Howell led the SEC with 11.5 sacks in 2025 and was a unanimous All-American selection. However, at 6'2" and 248 pounds, he is considered undersized for his position, with reports of his arm length measuring under 31 inches - well below the typical threshold for EDGE prospects. This could limit his projection to a designated pass-rushing role in the NFL, despite his strong college production.

  • Howell was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.
  • He is set to participate in the 2026 NFL Combine in February.

The players

Cashius Howell

A 23-year-old defensive end from Texas A&M who was one of the most dominant defensive players in college football in 2025, leading the SEC in sacks.

Mike Elko

The head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, who has helped elevate the program's defense and produce NFL talent.

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What they’re saying

“No player with sub-31" arms has made a Pro Bowl or recorded double-digit sacks in a season.”

— Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports

What’s next

Howell will participate in the 2026 NFL Combine in February, where teams will get a chance to officially measure his arm length and evaluate his athletic testing.

The takeaway

Despite Howell's impressive college production, his relatively short arm length compared to typical EDGE prospects could cause some teams to be cautious about drafting him in the first round. However, his dominant senior season has still made him a highly intriguing prospect, and his NFL future will be closely watched as teams weigh the importance of arm length versus overall talent and impact.