Texas A&M must replace All-American edge Cashius Howell as Anto Saka and Marco Jones emerge as key pass rushers in Mike Elko’s defense for 2026.
Texas A&M football enters the 2026 season with one massive question hanging over the defense ... who replaces Cashius Howell?
The Aggies are coming off a historic year that included an 11-0 start and the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance, but Howell’s departure to the NFL Draft leaves a major hole along the defensive front.
The unanimous All-American edge rusher is projected to be a first-round pick after terrorizing opposing quarterbacks during his career in College Station.
Head coach Mike Elko knew the offseason would be about balancing continuity with reloading talent.
While the Aggies’ offense returns quarterback Marcel Reed and adds Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton to a receiving corps that already lost standout KC Concepcion, who totaled 919 receiving yards and nine touchdowns while adding two punt return scores last season, the defense will rely heavily on new faces off the edge.
Two names stand out immediately in Northwestern transfer Anto Saka and rising sophomore Marco Jones.
Both defenders recently appeared in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football edge rusher rankings, signaling that expectations inside the state are already building.
Saka, who stands 6-4 and weighs 255 pounds, brings intriguing upside to Elko’s defensive scheme. The former Wildcat started 11 games last season but finished with 13 tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss.
Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but many believe his best football is ahead of him.
“The 6-4, 255-pound Saka was listed on Bruce Feldman’s annual ‘Freaks List’ heading into 2025 and Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko hopes he can help Saka reach his ceiling and replace the departing production of Cashius Howell, who could be a first-round draft pick come April,” wrote analyst Mike Craven.
“Saka started 11 games but only recorded 13 tackles. He did get to the quarterback, compiling three sacks and four tackles for loss, but he needs to be more consistent to match his on-field play with his off-field hype.”
If Saka provides potential, Marco Jones might offer the breakout story.
The former four-star recruit flashed his talent as a freshman, recording 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks in limited snaps. At 6-5 and 258 pounds, Jones already has the size of a future NFL defensive end.
“A consensus four-star prospect who played well when given snaps as a true freshman,” Craven noted. “His upside is hard to ignore and his 6-5, 258-pound frame means Jones can be an every-down defensive end in the SEC. With Cashius Howell gone and the need for big plays off the edge, Jones could be one of the breakout stars in the SEC in 2026.”
Replacing Howell won’t be easy.
But if Saka’s athletic upside meets Jones’ raw potential, Texas A&M’s pass rush may remain one of the most dangerous units in the SEC.