The Miami Hurricanes nearly capped off the 2025 season in stunning fashion, coming within one win of capturing the program’s first national championship since 2001. Instead, Miami fell short against the Indiana Hoosiers, 27-21.
Still, the Hurricanes’ run was fueled by one of the nation’s best defensive units, and one of the biggest standouts was edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
Now, Bain is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft this April. But not everyone believes his draft slot will match his long-term impact.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon recently listed Bain could be one of the most overdrafted players in the class, questioning whether his reputation is now carrying more weight than his physical traits.
“This is one of those situations in which you wonder if a prospect has just been in the public consciousness for so long that it’s a given he’ll become an NFL star,” Gagnon wrote. “He still lacks speed and length, which can’t be developed. But as ‘a name’ at a premium position, someone will likely reach for him in the top six, especially with an expected run on edges up there.”
In ESPN’s Matt Miller’s latest mock draft, Bain is projected to land with the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 overall, with the only edge rusher ahead of him being Ohio State’s Arvell Reese.
Scouts Still Have Questions About Rueben Bain’s Traits
Bain’s speed and arm length have been common points of criticism when projecting him to the NFL level.
“Lacks some explosion off the line to win with speed around the edge as a pass-rusher at the next level,” Bleacher Report’s scouting department reported.
Gagnon took it even further, suggesting Bain may not become the type of dominant defensive centerpiece teams typically expect from a top-five selection.
“I doubt he ever carries a defense, or even a pass rush, as the main guy,” Gagnon added.
If Bain was looking for extra motivation heading into the draft process, he may have just found it.
Rueben Bain’s 2025 Production Was Hard to Ignore
After a calf injury limited Bain during his sophomore season and forced him to miss four games, he bounced back in a major way in 2025. Bain not only looked like the player who won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year as a freshman — he looked even better.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bain ranked among the best pass rushers in the country. He posted a 92.5 overall grade in 2025, along with a 91.8 pass-rush grade and an 87.5 run-defense grade.
For the season, Bain finished with 10 sacks, 29 solo tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception. He also led all defenders in quarterback hurries with 54 and ranked second in total pressures with 67.
Bain’s impact only grew in the biggest moments. During Miami’s College Football Playoff run, he recorded five sacks, including three in the first-round matchup against Texas A&M.
While the jump from college football to the NFL is never guaranteed, Bain’s production and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments is exactly why teams continue to view him as one of the safest — and most valuable — edge rushers in the 2026 draft class.
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. Gets Brutal Draft Prediction Ahead of Top-5 Buzz