As we inch ever closer to the first kickoff of 2025, it’s time to get our position preview series going. Up first, we have the defensive ends - a position group that disappointed in 2024 compared to expectations.
Who did we lose?
- The Aggies lost Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton to the NFL Draft. Both Stewart and Scourton were physically imposing forces at the edges last year, but didn’t deliver quite as many big plays as expected. Still, replacing Stewart and Scourton is no small feat.
- The Aggies also lost edge defenders to the transfer portal, as Enai White has transferred to Penn State, while Malick Sylla transferred to Mississippi State.
Who do we bring back?
- Cashius Howell represents the player on the edge I’m most excited about returning. Howell excelled in pass-rushing situations last year and should be a force to be reckoned with off the edge in 2025. His speed and explosiveness give opposing offensive lines problems.
- Rylan Kennedy had a similar year to Howell, if not quite as productive. Kennedy shows a lot of the same intangibles, but will need to put them together more consistently to be a consistent contributor in 2025. Of note, both Kennedy and Howell will carry less weight than Stewart and Scourton did last season. That might change the edge approach for Texas A&M this season.
What other names should we know?
- The Aggies brought in a few transfer options as edge defenders. Dayon Hayes (Pitt, Colorado), T.J. Searcy (Florida), and Sam M’Pemba (Georgia) will all look to be contributors to this defense in 2025.
- Marco Jones headlines the high school class for the Aggies. The California product enrolled early, which should give him a chance to contribute sparingly this fall. He’s one to watch, but playing time is always tough to earn early on in the trenches.
Overall Grade: B
I was extremely high on this group last year. This year, I’m tempering my expectations quite a bit. While I think Cashius Howell has the potential to be a special player, I worry about the pieces behind him. Kennedy has a lot of potential in my mind, but we’ve yet to see it consistently over
AD
a full season. Other than that, the Aggies are looking at transfer portal additions. It’s tough to predict how these players will adapt in a new system but I’m cautiously optimistic.
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