Bengals Film Review: Cashius Howell’s coming out party according to his former coach at Texas A&M
Texas A&M defensive line coach Tony Jerod-Eddie saw greatness within Bengals second-round draft pick Cashius Howell before his dominant 2025 season. Let’s go through arguably the best game of Howell’s collegiate career.
Before Cashius Howell was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, he ended the 2024 season on a high note for Texas A&M.
The Aggies lost to USC in the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl on a last-second touchdown. Howell’s performance kept them in the game, and according to defensive line coach Tony Jerod-Eddie, it was when he knew the Cincinnati Bengals’ second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was special.
“He wrecked the game,” Jerod-Eddie told Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “You want guys who think they should be playing more. He just kept his head down. Didn’t complain, and in that game he went crazy, and it was like, ‘Oh man, he had just been waiting for this opportunity.’ Absolutely wrecked the game.”
The exact wreckage was seven pressures, three run stops, a sack, and an interception.
Cashius Howell Stats & Facts
Cincinnati drafted former Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell with the No. 41 pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Howell was born and raised in Kansas City, Mo. He grew up a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and attended Bowling Green State University the first three years of his college career.
- Texas A&M landed Howell in the transfer portal exiting the 2023 season. The then 21-year old played alongside Shemar Stewart for the Aggies.
- Howell was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 after racking up 14.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Jerod-Eddie’s unit was without future Bengal Shemar Stewart and future second-round pick Nic Scourton that game. Howell ended up playing the most snaps he played all season.
Was it as good as advertised? Let’s dive into the film with some of Howell’s best reps. He’s wearing the No. 18 jersey (he eventually switched to No. 9 in 2025).
Cashius Howell 2024 film vs. USC
Howell is quite the speed rusher. He’s the first off the ball on this snap and initially stays square with the left tackle before covering about three yards with a single step to get to his outside shoulder. After swiping the outside hand, he attempts to turn the corner before losing his balance. This was an example of the raw speed and flexibility Howell possesses, but couldn’t always put to mastery before his second year at A&M.
It doesn’t look like Howell does anything special on this rep, but staying square just to bend under the tackle’s punch and reducing his surface area in the process is how he gets around him with ease. The throw is quick because of the free rusher coming through the B-gap, but Howell’s “ghost move” gets him a pressure nonetheless.
This is all instincts and reaction. The LT isn’t actually blocking Howell because he needs to get downfield to block for the wide receiver screen. He wants Howell scooting away from the play, unless Howell can recognize the play and impact it. He did more than just that, he created a turnover and nearly took it back for six points.
Howell is on the other side of the formation here and initially takes on a combo block from the right tackle and tight end. The RT quickly moves up to the second level, leaving Howell to dispense the TE before another comes wrapping around the line. The second TE misses Howell’s frame as Howell attempts to take the outside. Howell manages to wrap up on the running back despite his momentum going the opposite direction for the stop.
Here we get to see a chop-rip from Howell against the RT. He’s got an angle to the top of the quarterback’s dropback, but only if he can bend and push through contact around the arc. He’s able to do just that, but the QB launches a timing throw in rhythm so it’s but another hurry.
Howell’s ability to turn his frame away from the tackle before dipping his hips is what can make him frustrating to block. The RT simply whiffs here as Howell swipes his punch to the side and gets a clear path at the QB. It’s another throw in rhythm as Texas A&M’s cornerbacks are getting tested immediately.
Howell’s lone sack was a testament of his play recognition more than his ability to win as a pass rusher. Cincy will take those all the same, but the rest of the game is why Jerod-Eddie was so impressed with the then 21-year old.
The signs were clear before Howell’s dominant 2025 season. He was going to be a force on the Bengals’ radar. Now he’s set to be a force for them for years to come.
