Texas A&M’s 2025 pass rush was rejuvenated this offseason after adding Iowa State transfer defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim and four edge rushers from the transfer portal, but even before adding depth, senior edge Cashius Howell junior defensive end Rylan Kennedy has become the face of the room after serving as impactful rotational players during the 2024 season.
Cashius Howell is widely predicted to lead the Aggies in sacks next season after his incredible showing against USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, but for those of us who have been on the Rylan Kennedy bandwagon for the last two seasons, the 6-4, 240-pound Mansfield (TX) native recorded 20 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two pass deflections during his limited role, and impressed every time he was on the field.
However, one of his low points came in the season finale loss to Texas, when Kennedy whiffed on a sack against QB Quinn Ewers that would have put the Longhorns behind the sticks. Still, even the best pass rushers play way too fast early in their career.
Texas A&M’s media team has highlighted several ascending players this offseason, including Kennedy this week, and while he will be judged by his stats, his role in 2025 will expand as well as his pass rush snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, Kennedy earned an impressive 76.0 pass-rush grade during his 103 pass-rush snaps last season, finishing with the 5th highest pass-rush grade on the team.
Kennedy’s trajectory is on the right track, and it’s fair to note that while his 2024 production was average, his defensive line counterparts Shemar Stewart, Nic Scourton, and Shemar Turner, who were all selected in the first and second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, also failed to produce at the end of the season.
With head coach Mike Elko back as the defensive play-caller, Texas A&M’s pass rush, including Kennedy, will be in a better position to get in the backfield at a high rate.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M junior Edge could be headed toward a breakout 2025 season
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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