Each Monday during the 2025 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance over the weekend and earned the distinction of being the week’s “Overnight Sensation.”
In this new era of college athletics, the price of protection can be steep.
But for the visiting Bulldogs, Cashius Howell displayed just how costly a lethal pass rush can be.
Howell helped Texas A&M post a dominant defensive performance against Mississippi State to remain undefeated, 31-9.
The showing from the junior comes as no surprise to head coach Mike Elko.
“First of all, he's really good,” Elko said. “We tried to tell everybody that in the offseason, and nobody really wanted to hear that. But he's a really talented football player. He's really good at rushing the passer.”
When A&M's offense produced at a substandard rate in the first half, Howell & Co. consistently showed up.
In a 3-0 ballgame in the second quarter, quarterback Marcel Reed threw his third pick of the year.
Needing a momentum swing in favor of the Aggies, Howell deflected Blake Shapen's pass, allowing Daymion Sanford to haul in the interception, setting up A&M's first touchdown of the night on the ensuing drive.
"As soon as I saw the ball in the air, it was kind of wobbly," Sanford said. "I just ran to it and prayed to God and caught it. I tried to go score, but my legs are a little tired, a little dead.”
Beyond the game-changing play, Howell lived in State's backfield from the jump.
The second-year Aggie forced his way past State's tackles a multitude of times, making right tackle Luke Work and left tackle Jayvin Q. James feel his impact.
"Now that you're in a normal SEC world, and you can scheme some things up for them, you can get them into some matchups and then allow him to use his skill sets and use his talents," Elko said. "He was certainly able to do that tonight.”
Howell recorded his second three-sack game of the year and became the first Aggie to record multiple such performances in a season since Von Miller in 2009.
Good company.
In addition to his trio of sacks, Shapen felt his presence all night, totaling six pressures and two quarterback hurries.
With seven to his name through five games, the Kansas City native sits second nationally in sacks.
As seen on Saturday night, there don't appear to be any signs of slowing down No. 9.
If he can keep cashing, his check at the 2026 NFL Draft is going to be significant.
Just ask Mississippi State. They already know the cost.
Howell's stats vs. Mississippi State
Tackles: 3
Solo Tackles: 3
Sacks: 3
TFLs: 3
PBUs: 1
Howell's 2025 stats
Tackles: 13
Solo Tackles: 12
Sacks: 7
TFLs: 8
PBUs: 2
