Rueben Bain Jr.

NFL Draft Profile: Rueben Bain Jr.

Position: Defensive End/Edge | School: Miami (FL)

Class: Junior | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 277 lbs | Archetype: Balance (Power/Technique)

College Career Summary

Rueben Bain Jr. entered Miami as a local legend (77 high school sacks) and immediately translated that dominance to the ACC. He was the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-American, followed by an injury-shortened 2024. In 2025, Bain returned to full health and cemented his status as a premier NFL prospect, winning the 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. A "forklift" in pads, Bain is renowned for his rare leverage and functional strength, often overpowering tackles four inches taller than him. He finished the 2025 season as PFF’s highest-graded edge defender, leading the nation in total pressures (66) and emerging as a projected top-10 pick for the 2026 draft.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 34

• Total Tackles: 104 (37 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 25.5 (7.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 15.5 (4.5 in 2025)

• Total Pressures (2025): 66 (Ranked 2nd in FBS)

• Career Highs: 3 Forced Fumbles (2023), 1 INT (2025 vs. Notre Dame)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Notre Dame	6 Tkl, 1.0 Sack, 1 INT	A+	Defined "Star" impact; interception showed elite IQ.
vs. Florida	7 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	A	Season High Tackles. Dominant in the run game.
vs. Florida A&M	1 Tkl	B	Limited snaps in blowout; maintained gap discipline.
@ South Florida	2 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	B+	Explosive Acceleration on a backside TFL.
vs. Virginia Tech	4 Tkl, 0.5 Sack	A-	High Motor was relentless against a mobile QB.
@ California	3 Tkl	B	Solid performance; drew multiple holding penalties.
@ Louisville	4 Tkl, 1 FF	A-	Clutched a key fumble; showed Mental Toughness.
vs. Florida St.	3 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	B+	Anchored effectively; reset the line of scrimmage.
vs. Duke	2 Tkl	C+	Out-leveraged by quick passes; quiet on stats.
@ Georgia Tech	3 Tkl	B	Consistent pressure; kept the pocket collapsed.
vs. Wake Forest	1 Tkl	B-	Struggled with "slow mesh" timing but held his gap.
@ Pittsburgh	5 Tkl, 1.5 Sacks	A	Technique clinic; bull-rush was unblockable.
CFP: Texas A&M	3 Sacks, 1 Blk FG	A+	Postseason Legend. Silenced critics in the playoff.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Leverage & Power: At 6'3", he gets naturally lower than OTs. His "forklift" ability to get under pads and drive linemen backward is NFL-ready.

• Technique & Hand Usage: Bain has a sophisticated "tool bag." He uses a violent two-hand swipe, a devastating cross-chop, and a pro-level bull-to-rip transition.

• Versatility: Not just an edge; logged over 150 snaps as a 3-Technique DT in 2025. He can wreck a game from the interior on passing downs.

• Motor & Intangibles: Voted a Team Captain as a junior. His Pursuit speed is high for his weight, and he never quits on a play.

Weaknesses

• Lack of Length: Reportedly has sub-31” arms. This is a massive outlier for an NFL edge and may lead to him being "latched" on by longer-armed tackles.

• Agility Thresholds: While explosive linearly, he can be stiff in space. He is more of a "Power" rusher than a "Speed/Bend" rusher.

• Aggression: Occasionally shoots the wrong gap in run defense, trying to make a hero play rather than holding his spot.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Base 4-3 DE or a 3-4 DE (5-Tech) who slides inside in nickel.

NFL Comparison: Dwight Freeney (Frame/Get-off) / Justin Smith (Power/IQ)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 16/20 | Attributes: 19/20 | Athleticism: 17/20 | IQ: 18/20 Final Grade: 89/100

Rueben Bain Jr. is a production-over-prototypes prospect. While he fails the "arm length" and "height" tests for traditional scouts, his film is undeniable. He was the single most disruptive defender in the ACC for two of his three seasons. His ability to push the pocket from the edge or the interior gives him a high Positional Value. Because he lacks elite length, some teams may move him to a full-time 3-technique DT (like Calijah Kancey), but his 2025 tape suggests he can thrive on the edge if paired with a speed rusher.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Top 15 Pick)