The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell 41st overall Friday in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
He’s the third Aggie to be drafted, with several other A&M teammates expected to hear their names called this weekend.
Howell appeared in 37 games over two seasons with the Aggies, recording 71 tackles, 15½ sacks and 22½ tackles for loss. He spent his first three seasons with Bowling Green, where he tallied 56 tackles, 11½ sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
A product of Kansas City, Mo., he was a three-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class from Rockhurst High School. He was the 2,162nd-ranked recruit in the class and the 30th-ranked prospect in Missouri.
Howell started all 13 games in 2025 and was named a consensus All-American after leading the SEC in sacks.
Much of the conversation this draft cycle centered on Howell’s lack of arm length, as his 30¼-inch arms were among the shortest in the class. However, his proven production and strong testing at the NFL Scouting Combine offset some of those concerns.
Entering the weekend, he was ranked in the class No. 26 (Pro Football Focus), No. 33 (CBS), No. 30 (ESPN) and No. 35 (Tankathon). Howell measured 6-foot-2½ at the combine and ran a 4.59 40-yard dash. His vertical leap was 32.5 inches, and his broad jump was 9 feet, 7 inches.
Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at anthony.catalina@statesman.com.