Howell lacks prototypical height and length, but he’s a high-motor, explosive pass rusher who wins with a variety of moves off the edge. He’s a fifth-year senior who played three seasons at Bowling Green before transferring to Texas A&M in 2024, and he finished his college career strong last season, racking up 11.5 sacks, 14.0 tackles for a loss, 41 pressures, and 21 stops, per PFF, with just three missed tackles on the year. Howell has a shredded, muscular frame and is an agile athlete who can change direction on a dime. He rushes with good burst at the snap, using his speed and explosiveness to set up his pass rush moves. He converts speed to power with a long-arm stab and bull-rush move and employs a hump move when offensive tackles set too far to the edge. He uses a whirling spin move that leaves tackles lunging and likes to utilize a bounding Euro-step move and cross chop to win the edge. Howell is a fluid mover with top-shelf closing speed to finish his rush. He shows good bend and can duck and get under blocks before flattening to the quarterback. Against the run, he’s tenacious setting the edge and refuses to get blocked; he rips, clubs, and swipes his way out of blocks to make the tackle. He’s a mindful player who does a good job reading the quarterback’s eyes to anticipate where throws are going, and he consistently gets his hands up to knock down throws.

Howell’s lack of length shows up when tackles get him into their grasp; he can struggle to disengage. His aggressiveness can be used against him, and there are times when he overruns the play and gets out of position.