Former Hawklets Compete at NFL Combine, Poised to be Selected in Draft

Over the decades of its existence, Rockhurst has become a name synonymous with high school athletic success in the greater Kansas City area. The school’s ability to consistently churn out college and even professional-level talent has also become to set it apart. Athletic Director Tom Kruse notes that almost every year, double-digit numbers of Hawklets sign to continue competing at the collegiate level. It’s a sentiment echoed across the athletic program.

“We pride ourselves on developing players who want to compete on a bigger stage,” head football coach Kelly Donohoe said.

Two former Hawklets, in particular, have risen to greater national prominence in recent weeks: Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell and Wyoming tight end John Michael Gyllenborg. Both players were cornerstones of the Rockhurst football program during their four years, and both committed to continue their football careers at the next level. Now, they’re on the verge of taking the next step.

Howell was a force for the Hawklets during his three seasons of varsity football, playing under both the legendary Tony Severino before his retirement in 2019, and then under Donohoe his senior year in 2020. In his high school career, Howell totaled more than 150 tackles and 21 sacks, six of which came in one game his junior year—a school record that still stands today.

While Howell ended his high school career with impressive numbers and the athletic tools of a high-end Division I prospect, his recruiting journey did not reflect that. Despite his production over three seasons as a varsity starter, Howell was only a three-star recruit in the class of 2021 and did not receive much attention from Power 4 schools. He ultimately committed to Bowling Green, hoping to develop and move up in the world of college football.

That bet paid off.

After steadily improving in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), Howell emerged as one of the most disruptive defensive ends in college football. A breakout sophomore season at Bowling Green when he led the conference with 9.5 sacks caused him to emerge on the national radar. During the offseason, he entered the transfer portal, eventually committing to Texas A&M. This transfer to a high-level program allowed Howell to elevate his game against SEC competition.

Now, facing future NFL linemen every week, Howell was able to refine and improve his pass rush arsenal, proving he could still dominate at a high level.

His senior year at Texas A&M, the Aggies finished the regular season with only one loss and entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 8 seed. Despite an upset loss to Miami and a disappointing end to the 2025 campaign, Howell was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year with 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 41 pressures. He added on 20 solo tackles, a forced fumble, and six pass break ups to the stat sheet to end his strong senior year.

Meanwhile, Gyllenborg’s path was completely different.

Unlike Howell, Gyllenborg was not a standout in high school. He played only one season of football at Rockhurst before injury and the COVID-shortened schedule limited his opportunities to shine on the gridiron. His senior year, he recorded just ten catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns as a wide receiver–hardly the production most people would expect from a future NFL prospect.

Yet, Wyoming was willing to give Gyllenborg a shot. They offered him a scholarship–his only FBS football offer, and he took it.

After redshirting his freshman year, Gyllenborg switched positions from receiver to tight end and quickly became one of the most reliable tight ends in the Mountain West Conference. Over three seasons of playing time, he was a consistent target in the pass game and a dependable blocker on the edge in the run game.

In 2025, he totaled 24 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns despite battling injuries. In the run game, Gyllenborg was used primarily as a lead blocker off the edge, earning a 47.9 run-blocking grade. Despite missing three games, he earned all-conference honors and established himself as a legitimate NFL prospect.

When both former Hawklets arrived in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Combine, their journeys had almost reached full circle. But one thing was unfinished: getting drafted.

The combine ran from Feb. 23 to March 2, with on-field workouts spanning Feb. 26 to March 1. Defensive linemen tested on Feb. 26 and tight ends on Feb. 27.

At the event, Howell backed up his impressive on the field skills with even more impressive results on his tests. He ran a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, giving him the fifth-best time among edge rushers. His acceleration off the line was elite. A 1.58 second ten-yard split that was first among defensive ends was significant, because that first ten yards measures how quickly a pass rusher explodes off the line.

However, his jumping drills were middle of the pack, and he opted out of several drills, such as the bench press and 3-cone drill, which was part of why some analysts said his overall testing was underwhelming compared to expectations. Regardless, many sites, including ESPN and CBS Sports, still have Howell going in between the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Meanwhile, Gyllenborg showcased the athleticism that prompted Wyoming to take a chance on him when he came out of high school. His numbers were very middle of the pack for most of the drills, but his athleticism and change of direction were obvious to scouts during the on-field sessions. His willingness to block was also praised by teams that met with him, and blocking is considered a necessary skill set in a tight end. Gyllenborg’s performance, which exceeded most expectations, saw him make the All-Combine team and likely boosted his draft stock significantly.

Draft analysts currently project Gyllenborg as a later round pick, likely in the fifth or sixth round, though strong interviews and meetings with several teams are suspected to have improved his position.

For Rockhurst High School, the significance goes beyond producing NFL-level talent.

These two players represent two different models of success: Howell, the high school standout who developed into one of the most dominant defensive players in CFB, and Gyllenborg, the late bloomer whose potential shone when properly developed. Both paths required discipline and hard work, traits fostered through the Rockhurst brotherhood and refined by the football program and care tenants of the school.

Gyllenborg and Howell’s paths serve as inspiration for this generation of football Hawklets. As recent graduates with proven success, their image stands as an icon for upperclassmen working to prove themselves.

“It definitely shows us that it’s possible [to get to the NFL],” senior Kansas commit Kevin Sullivan said.

No matter when or what team calls their names, Howell and Gyllenborg have already reinforced what Rockhurst athletics strives to represent: preparedness, perseverance and performance at the highest level.