Cashius Howell

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Scouting Report

SEC Defensive Player of the Year with 11.5 sacks featuring elite get-off speed, legitimate bend, and three straight years of stacking sacks against increasingly difficult competition. A versatile edge rusher with solid coverage ability who can contribute in multiple packages. Short arms (30 3/4") and run defense inconsistency are the primary concerns against an otherwise impressive profile.

Player Comparison

Strengths

• Shows advanced hand-fighting technique for his experience level, consistently winning the leverage battle with active hands and violent swipes.
• Motor runs hot from snap one to the final whistle, pursuing plays across the formation with relentless energy.
• Demonstrates impressive scheme versatility, dropping into coverage against tight ends while maintaining awareness in run fits.
• Length plays as a weapon both rushing the passer and setting the edge, using long arms to control blockers.
• Football intelligence shines in complex situations, rarely fooled by misdirection or caught sleeping on RPO action.
• Natural bend around the arc allows him to flatten the corner and threaten the quarterback's back shoulder consistently.
• Developed multiple pass-rush moves including an effective inside counter that keeps tackles guessing on their sets.
• Lightning-quick first step creates immediate separation from tackles, with the ankle flexibility to bend around the edge like a whip.

Areas to Improve

• Lacks the anchor strength to consistently hold the point of attack against power-gap schemes and double teams.
• Closing speed in the backfield sometimes allows quarterbacks to escape what should be certain sacks.
• Limited experience in coverage situations may create growing pains in complex zone packages at the next level.
• Stack-and-shed technique needs refinement when offensive tackles get hands on him in run defense.
• Competition level questions remain after spending formative years in the MAC before one season in the SEC.