The reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Miami's first Ted Hendricks Award winner, taken 15th overall as a hybrid edge rusher.
Rueben Bain Jr. was the most feared pass rusher in the ACC before Tampa Bay made him the 15th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A Miami native who terrorized quarterbacks for three seasons at his hometown school, Bain projects as a hybrid edge who can also kick inside against guards.
Path to the league
Bain grew up in Miami, Florida, and starred at Miami Central Senior High School, where he recorded 77 sacks in his prep career and won the Nat Moore Trophy as South Florida's best senior player. He stayed home to play for the Hurricanes and became a starter as a true freshman after Akheem Mesidor was injured, then declared for the draft after a dominant junior season. Tampa Bay selected him 15th overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
As a freshman in 2023, Bain recorded 44 tackles and 7.5 sacks and won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 2025 he became the first Miami Hurricane to win both the Ted Hendricks Award and ACC Defensive Player of the Year, earning consensus All-American honors while helping Miami reach the College Football Playoff national championship game. He led all FBS players with 83 pressures in 2025.
2025 season recap
Bain's junior season was his best, with 54 tackles and 9.5 sacks across 16 games, including a three-sack playoff performance against Texas A&M. He signed a four-year, $23.76 million rookie contract with Tampa Bay that includes a $13.74 million signing bonus, and the Buccaneers plan to use him in a hybrid role that lines him up on the edge while occasionally kicking him inside against guards.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Rueben Bain Jr.
- Buccaneers.com: Rueben Bain Jr. NFL Draft profile
- Bleacher Report: NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Tampa Bay Buccaneers Edge Rueben Bain Jr.
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Miami
- Hometown
- Miami, FL, USA
- Age
- 21
- Status
- active
