Miami got off to a hot start in 2025, picking up ranked wins over Notre Dame and South Florida. The Hurricanes are the fourth-ranked team in the country and look to win their first ACC title. Their early-season surge is partially due to a revamped defense. Miami had the best scoring offense in the nation in 2024, led by Cam Ward. Despite its prolific offense, a lackluster defense kept the Hurricanes out of the College Football Playoff. That shouldn’t be the case this season, as the defense has drastically improved. Defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. is one of the main reasons why Miami has made strides defensively. He is among the best pass rushers in college football, possessing top-end physical traits. Bain is undoubtedly a premier prospect, but how early can he hear his name called in April?
2026 NFL Draft: Rueben Bain Jr. Player Profile
Background
Bain was a four-star recruit and the 10th-ranked edge rusher in the Class of 2023. He played high school football at Miami Central (Florida) and chose to stay close to home by committing to the Hurricanes. Bain wasted no time making an impact, racking up 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles as a freshman. His breakout performance came against Clemson, forcing eight tackles and two sacks in an overtime victory over the Tigers. Many expected Bain to build upon his impressive freshman campaign in 2024, but that wasn’t the case. He suffered a calf injury in Week 1 against Florida that led to him missing four games. Bain’s production took a hit, having 23 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a sophomore. He appears to have rebounded early in 2025, getting 15 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception through Miami’s first three games.
Strengths
The first thing that stands out when watching Bain is his explosive first step. He generates tons of burst off the line of scrimmage to win early in reps. His speed is remarkable for his position, allowing him to close in on quarterbacks quickly. Bain combines his speed with exceptional power and hand placement to beat pass protection in a multitude of ways. He regularly gets inside of linemen to create interior pressure. His 6-foot-3 height is an advantage against taller offensive tackles, as he can get lower than them and generate momentum. Bain is also an excellent run defender, routinely shedding blocks to make tackles. He is alignment versatile, as he can play outside as a 5-technique along with more inside as a 3-tech.
Weaknesses
Bain’s aforementioned injury history raises concerns about his durability at the next level. He can also improve when it comes to finishing reps. While he consistently gets in position to make tackles and sacks, there are times he doesn’t finish the play and leaves production on the field. Consistency with tackling is the most significant area of improvement for Bain as a prospect.
Overview
Defensive ends are arguably the most coveted players in the NFL outside of quarterbacks. Teams that already have their franchise signal-caller and a high draft pick tend to look for edge rushers. Bain’s combination of speed and power gives him incredible upside. He provides value on every down as both a pass rusher and a run defender. It will be interesting to see how the rest of 2025 looks for Bain under new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. Miami has a history of productive pass rushers at the next level, with Calais Campbell, Gregory Rousseau, and Jaelan Phillips, to name a few. If Bain can stay healthy and improve as a tackler, he will likely be a top-ten selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Main Image: Jasen Vinlove – Imagn Images
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