Can Cashius Howell take the next step from Texas A&M in 2025? | Texas A&M Football Podcast

Texas A&M football has long been a program with high aspirations in the competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). For years, the Aggies have sought to position themselves among the elite teams in the nation, and while they’ve had flashes of brilliance, sustained success has been elusive. One player that has shown tremendous potential but has yet to truly break through is Cashius Howell, a standout linebacker who could be primed to make his mark in the 2025 season.

Howell, a key contributor to Texas A&M’s defense, has shown the skills and physicality needed to dominate at the collegiate level, but questions remain about whether he can take the next step in his development. With the Aggies aiming to compete with the best of the SEC, Howell’s potential to elevate his game will play a significant role in the team’s success going forward. This piece will explore Howell’s journey to date, his potential in 2025, and what he needs to do to truly make an impact on Texas A&M football’s defense.

Cashius Howell’s Background and Early Career

A native of Missouri, Cashius Howell came to Texas A&M as a highly rated recruit with a reputation for being an explosive playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing around 230 pounds, Howell possesses the ideal size for a linebacker and the physical tools necessary to contribute immediately in the SEC. His high school career was marked by dominant performances as a linebacker and defensive end, where he exhibited a rare combination of speed, strength, and instincts.

After arriving at Texas A&M, Howell quickly adjusted to the rigors of college football, though the step up in competition was apparent. In his early years at A&M, Howell showcased his athleticism in limited action, earning a reputation as a hard hitter with the ability to rush the passer and play sideline-to-sideline in run defense. He was a key special teams contributor as a freshman and gradually began to earn more defensive snaps as a sophomore. Despite his flashes of brilliance, Howell’s consistency remained a work in progress.

Howell’s Growth and Development Through 2024

Heading into the 2024 season, Howell’s development continued to be a point of focus for both himself and the Texas A&M coaching staff. The linebacker position, while integral to any defense, requires a combination of mental acumen, leadership, and physical prowess. Howell, who has always had the physical tools, needed to refine his instincts, ability to read offenses, and overall football IQ to reach his full potential.

In 2024, Howell showed signs of taking that next step. As a junior, Howell was tasked with more responsibility in defensive schemes and was often lined up against some of the SEC’s toughest offenses. While the Aggies’ defense struggled at times, Howell’s individual performance stood out. He finished the season with notable tackles for loss, a few sacks, and a handful of pass deflections. While these statistics were certainly solid, Howell was still not consistently dominating his matchups, which left some wondering if he was ready to take the leap into becoming a cornerstone of the defense in 2025.

The most notable aspect of Howell’s growth in 2024 was his improvement in pass coverage. In earlier seasons, Howell had been viewed more as a traditional linebacker focused on run support, but his development as a more complete linebacker allowed him to stay on the field in obvious passing situations. This evolution in his game made him more versatile, and it showcased his potential to not only be a force against the run but also contribute to the Aggies’ pass defense.

However, Howell still faces challenges with consistency, particularly when it comes to maintaining gap integrity and making the most of his opportunities. While he can be an explosive playmaker, he sometimes struggles to stay disciplined within Texas A&M’s defensive schemes. As the 2024 season drew to a close, the question on many minds was whether Howell could continue his upward trajectory and take the next step in his development as a leader on the defense.

What Does Howell Need to Improve Upon in 2025?

As Texas A&M heads into the 2025 season, Howell’s potential to take the next step and truly become a leader on the defense will depend on several key areas of improvement. For Howell to solidify his place as one of the top linebackers in the SEC, there are a few areas that he must address:

1. Consistency in Coverage:

While Howell made strides in his coverage ability during the 2024 season, there is still room for improvement. As modern offenses become increasingly dynamic, linebackers are often tasked with covering running backs and tight ends in the passing game. Howell’s size and athleticism give him the tools to be an effective coverage linebacker, but his decision-making in space can be erratic at times.

In 2025, Howell must continue to refine his coverage skills, improving his ability to read the quarterback and react quickly to passes in his area. If he can become a reliable asset in coverage, Howell will not only help the Aggies against high-powered offenses but will also open up the opportunity for more interceptions and pass breakups, which could elevate his profile as a playmaker.

2. Gap Integrity and Discipline:

While Howell’s explosiveness allows him to make plays in the backfield, he can sometimes overcommit to a rush or leave his gap unfilled in run defense. This can lead to big runs or missed tackles, something that will need to be cleaned up if Texas A&M’s defense is going to improve. In 2025, Howell must demonstrate more discipline in his run fits and take better angles to the ball. The most successful linebackers in college football are not always the flashiest, but they are the ones who consistently do their job and stay disciplined within the scheme.

Improving his gap integrity and becoming more of a “tackle-to-tackle” linebacker will help Howell eliminate mistakes and allow him to make more impact plays when it matters most. If he can remain patient and let the game come to him rather than forcing plays, Howell will become a much more reliable option in the middle of the defense.

3. Leadership and Mental Maturity:

In addition to his physical tools, Howell’s growth as a leader on the defense will be crucial in 2025. The linebacker position often comes with leadership responsibilities, and Howell has the opportunity to become one of the vocal leaders of the Aggies’ defense.

While Howell has shown glimpses of leadership, particularly with his on-field demeanor and physical style of play, he will need to take on a larger role in helping to organize the defense, especially as the Aggies continue to face some of the toughest offenses in the SEC. His ability to inspire his teammates, communicate effectively, and make adjustments on the fly will be vital to Texas A&M’s success in 2025.

4. Finishing Plays:

Finally, Howell needs to work on finishing plays. While he has shown a knack for getting into the backfield and disrupting plays, he needs to develop a more consistent ability to finish tackles and bring down ball carriers. A linebacker who can’t wrap up and finish tackles is a liability in the SEC, where every yard counts. Howell has the physicality and speed to be an elite tackler, but he must work on technique and finishing plays with confidence.

As a linebacker who often plays on the edge of the defense, Howell has the ability to make key stops in critical moments. But in 2025, he will need to ensure that he consistently finishes what he starts, making him a more complete player and a true game-changer for Texas A&M.

Can Howell Be the Defensive Leader in 2025?

The 2025 season represents a significant opportunity for Cashius Howell to solidify himself as one of the top linebackers in the SEC. His physicality and athleticism have never been in question, and his potential is sky-high. But for Howell to take the next step, he will need to continue refining his skills, particularly in coverage, gap integrity, and leadership. If he can improve upon these aspects of his game, Howell has the potential to be a major contributor to Texas A&M’s defense in 2025 and beyond.

Howell’s development is critical to the Aggies’ defense, as they look to compete in an SEC that is loaded with talent at every position. With the right coaching and continued focus on his growth, Howell could take the next step in his journey, becoming a star in the SEC and helping Texas A&M push toward the top of the conference standings.

Ultimately, 2025 could be the season where Howell fulfills his potential, becoming the cornerstone linebacker that the Aggies have been waiting for. It all comes down to whether he can put it all together and rise to the occasion. The path is clear for Howell to take the next step and make a lasting impact on Texas A&M football.