Bengals' second-round pick Cashius Howell channels Aaron Donald's "controlled aggression" to hopefully dominate NFL offenses with relentless technique.
Texas A&M continues to make its presence felt at the professional level, and the latest example is former Aggie standout Cashius Howell, who is already turning heads following his selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chosen with the No. 41 overall pick, Howell enters the league as one of the most productive defensive players college football this past season.
During his time in College Station, he developed into an elite pass rusher, earning recognition as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American. His combination of speed, technique, and relentless effort made him a centerpiece of Texas A&M’s defensive front and a highly sought-after prospect.
He racked up 31 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks. He was also able to show his nose for the ball with six passes defended, as well as forcing a fumble.
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Now in Cincinnati, Howell is already setting the tone for his professional career. Speaking to reporters shortly after being drafted, he emphasized the mindset he plans to bring to the Bengals’ defense. He referenced future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald as a model, pointing specifically to the idea of "controlled aggression" as a defining trait of elite defensive play.
"I take pride in having a relentless, aggressive attitude. You can go back to a guy named Aaron Donald," Howell said. "I like to be as aggressive, as relentless and as intense as I possibly can, but in a controlled manner, all while making sure I’m honing in on my 1/11th on the defense, my specific technique and my keys."
While he prides himself on playing with high energy and physicality, he also stressed the importance of staying within his assignment and maintaining discipline on every snap. This balance between aggression and control is something that helped him succeed at Texas A&M and is expected to translate well to the NFL level.
The Bengals were in the bottom 10 teams in the league in terms of sacks, so drafting a guy as impactful as Howell in the second round could be exactly what the team has been praying for.
Howell carries with him not only impressive credentials, but also a clear identity as a player. If his "controlled aggression" translates the way he expects, the Bengals may have found a disruptive force—and Texas A&M can add another success story to its growing NFL legacy.