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.”
A nightmare for some, but a dream for others.
On Saturday afternoon against Utah State, second-year Aggie Cashius Howell recorded three consecutive sacks, single-handedly uprooting Utah State's second-quarter drive.
It was a college football feat only seen once in the last 10 years.
"It was a rewarding feeling, for sure," Howell said. "The whole offseason and the whole journey I have taken up to this point, it felt really good to have some of the hard work and trials and tribulations pay off."
In 2015, Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy recorded three sacks on one drive in the Holiday Bowl against USC. Howell joined the company of Cichy as the only two collegiate players to put together such a sensational sequence in recent memory.
"I haven't (seen that)," head coach Mike Elko said. "I think that's a first for me. Six sacks on the quarterback. I thought we did a good job of pressuring him most of the day."
Beginning on their own 25-yard line, Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes dropped back to pass on first down, only to be corralled by Howell for a loss of six — the beginning of a long but quick series for the signal-caller.
"After the first one happened, I was starting to get confident in my pass rush," Howell said. "They threw it again. He overset me, so that gave me the inside lane to get the second one."
Needing a response on second-and-16, the visiting Aggies opted to throw again, and Howell swept right into the pocket to grab hold of Barnes a second time. Dropping him for a loss of seven, No. 9 pointed out this sack as his favorite.
"The second one, I feel like I just fried him," Howell said.
After Howell heard the roar of Kyle Field, Utah State left tackle Jake Eichorn was in for one more rude awakening. The Kansas City, Mo., native shot out of a cannon to complete the sack trifecta and force the visitors to punt from their own 4-yard line.
"I was like, 'Man, if they pass it, who knows?' Howell said. "I was just in a flow state at that point. They threw it, and the rest is history."
History, indeed.
When January rolls around and it's time to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, Howell has tape some scouts will dream about.
But for now, the Aggies will need Howell to continue creating nightmares for opposing quarterbacks.
Barnes sure will have them for a while.
Howell's stats vs. Utah State
Tackles: 4
Solo Tackles: 4
Sacks: 3
TFLs: 4
Howell's 2025 stats
Tackles: 5
Solo Tackles: 5
Sacks: 3
TFLs: 3
