Miami Hurricanes DE Rueben Bain Jr. was drafted by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the 15th pick in the 1st round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Bain, a three-year starter at Miami, was a four-star prospect coming out of Miami Central High School in FL.
Over three years at Miami, Bain logged 33.5 TFL’s, 20.5 sacks, one PBU and one INT. Bain played 38 games at defensive end for the Hurricanes over that time and became an All-American in his junior season.
Against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFB Playoff’s Cotton Bowl game, Bain recorded 1.5 TFL’s and one sack with three tackles.
Rueben Bain is a 1st round talent. Period. pic.twitter.com/NwDJaZ1mZN
Above– So… Rueben Bain is a first round talent. Bain locks up with a pro caliber OT and drives the guy to the spill and helps create a TFL by not just setting but dominating the edge. The second that play happened I knew it was a 1st round selection for Mr. Bain.
Footwork, hands, hips, finish. @TheStateOfTheU pic.twitter.com/bcac2Kgyy5
Above– Bain works inside and uses a slap, throw, and finishes the sack. WHEW he can play inside, outside, and WAY outside. I’m excited to see what he does for Todd Bowles in Tampa Bay.
There's always something worth improving on film. Bain chooses to 'kick out' himself here. A trapping OL WANTS you to go outside, the ball is going inside. So swimming out just did his job for him. Bain has to wrong-arm that and keep his inside hand free to help make a play. pic.twitter.com/Rg1EZmvoaV
Above– There’s always something to ‘fix’ on All-22 Review. Bain swims outside against a kick out block. That’s just doing the OL or TE’s job for them and instead he needs to squeeze inside and wrong arm that to keep his inside hand free.
This one won't make a stat sheet but Bain's presence requires 2 TE's and an OT. He's still able to dominate the POA and free up a TFL. pic.twitter.com/mcx1uox1pr
Again– Bain’s presence requires two TE’s and three blockers. Because he can grab and drive an OT he creates a TFL for another player. All of these ‘not on the sheet’ plays are noticed by NFL scouts.
The hand slap from Bain here is almost comical. The OT is stunned by it. It forces a double coverage INC throw. pic.twitter.com/jk3vEyLW1y
Above– This is borderline comical. Bain slapping down the OT’s hands and the guy is just stunned someone has that much power, dip and go. The Big Ten is a dominant conference and Bain owned their OL.
Bain helps collapse the pocket for the LB to sack Julian Sayin in the 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/RkqihMORxN
Above– Bain dominates and folds another OL. The game he had against OSU is a clear 1st round caliber game.
The Bucs have a 3-4 defense loaded with ‘well coached’ players in college. Kancey and Dennis played for Pat Narduzzi, Robinson played for Nick Saban, Vea for Chris Petersen, and Winfield is a legacy player. Add in Bain who has played for Corey Hetherman under DL coach Jason Taylor and you’ve got a well coached player joining a team of well coached players.
I think Bain will start right away and will have a solid career as an NFL player at multiple positions in a ‘fluid’ defensive league.