All-22 Review: Rueben Bain Jr vs. Ohio State (2025)

TL;DR

Rueben Bain Jr. was drafted 15th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2026 NFL Draft after a standout career at Miami. He excelled in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State, recording 1.5 TFLs and one sack.

Key points

Rueben Bain Jr. drafted 15th overall by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Recorded 1.5 TFLs and one sack against Ohio State
Logged 33.5 TFLs and 20.5 sacks at Miami

Rueben Bain Jr.Tampa Bay BuccaneersMiami HurricanesOhio State Buckeyes

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected 15th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images 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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **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. **Above**– Bain dominates and folds another OL. The game he had against OSU is a clear 1st round caliber game.

Q&A

What were Rueben Bain Jr.'s stats during his time at Miami?

Rueben Bain Jr. logged 33.5 TFLs, 20.5 sacks, one PBU, and one INT over three years at Miami.

How did Rueben Bain perform against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl?

In the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State, Bain recorded 1.5 TFLs, one sack, and three tackles.

What impact is Rueben Bain Jr. expected to have on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Bain is expected to start right away and contribute significantly in a versatile role within the Buccaneers' 3-4 defense.