Texas A&M Defensive End Cashius Howell Fueled by All-SEC Snub, Sets Out to Prove He’s the Conference’s Top Defender

When the All-SEC preseason teams were released, the names of many expected defensive stars were there—familiar faces with big resumes and national recognition. But one name was notably absent: Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell. For some, it was a surprise. For Howell, it was fuel.

In the often unforgiving world of college football, recognition doesn’t always come on time. Stats don’t always speak loud enough. And sometimes, no matter the grind, someone gets overlooked. Howell, entering what many anticipate to be his breakout season with the Aggies, finds himself on the wrong end of that equation—for now.

But if there’s one thing that defines Howell’s journey, it’s resilience. From a lightly recruited high school player to one of the most consistent and explosive edge threats on Texas A&M’s defense, Howell has carved his name through sheer effort, not hype. And while the snub may sting, it’s also lit a fire that could turn his season into one of reckoning for those who doubted him.

Howell’s reaction to being left off the All-SEC list wasn’t to complain or retreat into frustration. Instead, it was a quiet nod, a deep breath, and a trip back to the weight room. “I see it, I feel it, but I don’t let it shake me,” Howell said when asked about the snub. “It’s motivation. They don’t see me yet, but they will.”

The SEC is arguably the most competitive conference in college football, where defensive linemen are often built like NFL prototypes, and recognition is hard-earned. Players like Georgia’s Mykel Williams and Alabama’s Dallas Turner command headlines, and rightly so. But what Howell has shown—especially in the final stretch of last season—is that he belongs in the conversation.

Last year, Howell was a consistent disruptor. While his sack totals weren’t the flashiest—five on the season—his pressure rate ranked among the highest in the conference. He forced hurried throws, collapsed pockets, and displayed an elite first step that often put offensive linemen on skates. Coaches around the SEC know how impactful Howell is—even if voters didn’t.

Inside the Texas A&M locker room, his omission wasn’t taken lightly. Teammates rallied around him, vocal in their support, and vocal about what the league missed. Linebacker Taurean York, himself considered one of the leaders of the defense, posted a not-so-subtle message on X (formerly Twitter): “They’ll learn. Cashius Howell coming for everything.” It’s not just bravado; it’s belief.

And that belief is rooted in what Howell has done since arriving in College Station. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 260 pounds, he’s grown into his frame and into his role as one of the Aggies’ defensive anchors. This offseason, he committed to transforming his body even further—leaner, faster, more explosive. Coaches have lauded his offseason conditioning, pointing out how Howell has taken on a leadership role not just vocally, but by example.

Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, entering his second season at the helm of the Aggie defense, couldn’t be more excited about what Howell brings. “Cash is a guy who shows up every day with something to prove. He’s not the loudest guy, but he lets his work do the talking. He’s gonna make a lot of noise this season—on the field, not in the media,” Bateman said during fall camp.

That chip on Howell’s shoulder now seems almost personal. It’s not just about being left off a preseason list—it’s about the work being unseen. In an era when social media highlights and flashy narratives often drive preseason accolades, Howell’s path has been quieter, but no less effective.

His film tells the real story. Howell is a technician—disciplined with his hands, patient with his reads, and relentless in his pursuit. He doesn’t just rush wildly; he sets edges, plays the run, and forces offenses to account for him on every snap. He’s not a situational pass rusher—he’s a three-down player who thrives in every aspect of defensive play.

And as the 2025 season looms, Howell is making it his mission to ensure his presence is not ignored any longer.

The Aggies’ schedule offers Howell plenty of high-profile opportunities to showcase his dominance. With early matchups against Notre Dame and Florida, and the usual SEC gauntlet, national audiences will be watching. So will NFL scouts. For Howell, this season is about more than recognition within the SEC. It’s about setting the tone for his future.

What stands out about Howell isn’t just his ability—it’s his mentality. When asked what he hopes to prove this season, he doesn’t talk about awards or draft stock. “I want to be the reason offenses have to change their game plan,” he said. “I want to be the problem every offensive coordinator has to solve. That’s how I’ll know I’m doing my job.”

Those words echo the ethos of some of the SEC’s greatest defenders—guys like Jadeveon Clowney, Myles Garrett, and Derrick Thomas. Howell isn’t interested in being famous. He’s interested in being feared.

While the All-SEC nod may have eluded him for now, what’s clear is that Howell doesn’t intend to let that define him. He’s not chasing accolades. He’s chasing excellence—and in doing so, he may find that the accolades have no choice but to follow.

His journey also serves as a lesson for younger players on the roster—proof that sometimes the road to respect takes time, and that the only thing that truly matters is what happens between the whistles. Howell is quickly becoming a symbol of what can happen when talent meets obsession, and when doubt meets determination.

As the Aggies aim to reassert themselves as contenders in the SEC West, Howell’s emergence could be the X-factor. The defense has the pieces. The scheme is in place. And in Howell, they have a player whose hunger is matched only by his potential.

There’s no faking motivation, and in Howell’s case, there’s no need to. It’s written across his game, in every rep, every sprint, and every snap. He knows what was said. More importantly, he knows what wasn’t. And that silence has become the loudest voice in his mind.

As the season kicks off, expect Howell to play with purpose. Expect him to crash pockets, dominate tackles, and send a message each week: You should have picked me. You will next time.

Because for Cashius Howell, this isn’t about recognition. It’s about redemption. And the SEC better be ready.