Photo by: Evan Pilat/Texas A&M Athletics
Howell Named Ted Hendricks DE of the Year Award Finalist
Jan 23, 2026 | Football
CHICAGO – Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell was named one of five finalists for the 2025 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award, the Hendricks Award Foundation announced. The award's selection process was adjusted to include all games through the College Football Playoff and the plan is to continue this schedule moving forward, the organization stated.
Howell was also a finalist for the Lombardi, Bednarik and Nagurski awards and became the program's 11th unanimous All-American. The 6-2, 248-pound Howell emerged as the SEC's most-feared pass rusher in 2025 with 11.5 sacks, while also generating 41 quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
He became the first Aggie to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors and he was a four-time SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. His sack total was the most by an Aggie since NFL record-setter Myles Garrett posted the same amount in 2014. Additionally, the Kansas City, Missouri, native ranked seventh in the SEC with 14.0 tackles for loss. Making plays all over the field, the redshirt senior finished the regular season with 31 tackles, including 20 solo stops, and batted down six opponent aerials.
Howell helped lead the Aggies to their first-ever College Football Playoff berth and a No. 8 final ranking in the Associated Press and America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) top 25 polls.
Howell was also a finalist for the Lombardi, Bednarik and Nagurski awards and became the program's 11th unanimous All-American. The 6-2, 248-pound Howell emerged as the SEC's most-feared pass rusher in 2025 with 11.5 sacks, while also generating 41 quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
He became the first Aggie to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors and he was a four-time SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. His sack total was the most by an Aggie since NFL record-setter Myles Garrett posted the same amount in 2014. Additionally, the Kansas City, Missouri, native ranked seventh in the SEC with 14.0 tackles for loss. Making plays all over the field, the redshirt senior finished the regular season with 31 tackles, including 20 solo stops, and batted down six opponent aerials.
Howell helped lead the Aggies to their first-ever College Football Playoff berth and a No. 8 final ranking in the Associated Press and America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) top 25 polls.
Players Mentioned
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