Texas A&M Defensive Stars Steal the Show at NFL Combine 2026 Opening Day
The NFL Combine 2026 kicked off in full force in Indianapolis, with college football's top prospects showcasing their athletic prowess. On February 26, the spotlight firmly settled on the defensive standouts from Texas A&M, who delivered performances that immediately captured the attention of NFL scouts and analysts.
Albert Regis: The Explosive Interior Force
Senior defensive lineman Albert Regis wasted no time making his presence known. The 6-foot-1, 295-pound athlete demonstrated remarkable athleticism for his size, posting an impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.88 seconds. His 10-yard split of 1.72 seconds highlighted his explosive first step, while his 34-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-8 broad jump showcased exceptional lower-body power.
Regis's performance throughout the drills reinforced why scouts view him as a versatile interior lineman capable of impacting both running and passing plays. His combination of strength, speed, and agility positions him as one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in this year's draft class.
Cashius Howell: The Speed Rusher Making Waves
Meanwhile, defensive end Cashius Howell put together an equally impressive display. The 6-foot-2½, 253-pound edge rusher clocked a blazing 4.59-second 40-yard dash with a remarkable 1.58-second 10-yard split, ranking among the fastest performances for his position group on Day 1.
Howell complemented his speed with explosive power, recording a 32.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-7 broad jump. Reports from Indianapolis indicate that his standout performance has already generated significant interest, with the New England Patriots reportedly expressing strong consideration for the talented pass rusher.
Supporting Cast Delivers Solid Results
The Texas A&M defensive unit demonstrated depth beyond their two headline performers. Defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim showcased his athleticism with a 32-inch vertical and 9-foot-3 broad jump, while linebacker Taurean York impressed with his agility, posting a 7.23-second three-cone drill and 4.48-second 20-yard shuttle time.
Linebacker Scooby Williams, who measured at 6-foot-2 and 231 pounds, opted out of on-field drills on Thursday but remains part of the Aggies' defensive contingent being evaluated by NFL teams.
Scouts Take Notice of Aggies' Defensive Talent
The opening day performances clearly signaled that Texas A&M has multiple defensive players ready to compete at the professional level. Regis's rare combination of size and speed, combined with Howell's elite pass-rush potential, gave scouts compelling reasons to closely monitor their upcoming pro day workouts.
As the NFL Combine continues through the week, teams will conduct more thorough evaluations of both offensive and defensive prospects. However, the Aggies' defensive stars have already established themselves as players to watch, with their Day 1 performances generating significant buzz among talent evaluators.
In Indianapolis, Texas A&M's defensive unit proved it can command attention at the highest level of football evaluation. Albert Regis's explosive 40-yard dash and Cashius Howell's dynamic pass-rush display provided the excitement that defines the Combine experience, leaving scouts with two names they won't soon forget as draft preparations intensify.
