Image 1: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) chasing down QB Graham Mertz (15)
Height: 6’3
Weight: 270
Position: EDGE
Year: Junior
Background
Image 2: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (11) playing during his last year at Miami Central
Born September 8th, 2004, Rueben Bain Jr was a Four-Star EDGE prospect in the class of 2023 coming out of Miami Central High School in Miami, Florida. Ranked as the 10th best EDGE in the nation, Bain Jr was heavily coveted due to his production in his senior season where he registered 57 tackles, 39 tackles-for-loss, and 29 sacks. Even though he was heavily recruited by programs like FSU and Alabama, Bain Jr’s commitment to Miami was not shocking considering he is a Miami native and had an uncle who was a starter for the Hurricanes’ 1987 national championship.
As a Hurricane, Bain Jr would become a full-time starter as a true freshman due to a season-ending injury to DT/EDGE Akheem Mesidor. At just 18, Bain Jr was one of the top defensive linemen in the country and would produce an impressive 7.5 sack season. Due to his impressive freshman season, Bain Jr was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and a member of the Third-Team All-ACC selection. As a sophomore, Bain Jr’s production and on-field play would regress due to a soft-tissue injury that would ultimately shut down his season. Though there was concern of further regression, Bain Jr has silenced all of his doubters this year and has broken out as a standout name for the 2026 NFL draft.
Athletic Tools
With a dense, muscular frame, Rueben Bain Jr has high-end play strength that he utilizes to dominate as a run defender and pass rusher. Against the run, Bain Jr is extremely sturdy when holding his gap and setting a firm edge. As a pass rusher, Bain Jr is highly effective at utilizing his immense power and leverage advantage to collapse pockets. Though he does have shorter arms that are likely below 33 inches, Bain Jr does not struggle to establish leverage due to his naturally stocky frame.
Video 1: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) using his strength and leverage to anchor down against the drive block from OG Guerby Lambert (76)
Video 2: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) uses his strength to almost push the OT into RB Jeremiyah Love (4) on a wide zone run concept
Video 3: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) uses his strength and leverage to crush the pocket to register a pressure on QB Byrum Brown (17)
Unlike other thicker built, powerful edges who often lack fluidity and speed, Bain Jr has good speed and explosiveness for someone his size. Though not a rare straight-line athlete, Bain Jr does possess great fluidity and flexibility for a bigger EDGE. Due to his combination of athletic tools, Bain Jr is shockingly effective when aligned wide as he has the size and speed to convert speed to power while having the flexibility to bend around OTs to maintain his pass rush angle.
Video 4: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) converting speed-to-power to register a pressure on QB CJ Carr (13)
Video 5: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) using his flexibility to avoid being driven up field and disrupting the timing of the screen pass to TE Eli Raidon (6)
Video 6: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) using his size and flexibility to bend through the OT’s contact and get a sack on QB Timmy McCain (7)
Technicals
Though more than capable of just using his power, speed, and bend to win as a pass rusher, Bain Jr has impressive flashes as a technical winner. With a swipe and club in his arsenal, Bain Jr has pass rush moves that can serve as a change-up or counter in his pass rush plan. Bain Jr has plenty of ways to win as a pass rusher, but I would love to see him utilize his great strength and leverage by adding a forklift and/or hump move into his pass rush plan.
Video 7: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) uses a club on the OT’s outside hand and forces QB CJ Carr (13) to escape the pocket
Video 8: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) uses a swipe-swim as an inside-counter when OT Anthonie Knapp (54) oversets
Beyond his refinement as a pass rusher, Bain Jr is a highly technical run defender and is one of the best in the entire class. With natural low leverage and a sturdy frame, Bain Jr does a great job of holding his gap in the run game and playing with discipline. When ball carriers do enter his gap, Bain Jr uses his upper body strength and violent hands to shed blocks and make plays on ball carriers. Though he may miss tackles due to being a naturally stumpier athlete, Bain Jr is going to be a major factor against the run and an immediate three-down player in the NFL.
Video 9: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) playing the run with discipline and leverage and tackles RB Sam Franklin (1) when he enters his gap
Video 10: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) gets off the block and trips RB Jeremiah Love (4) to prevent an explosive play
Draft Projection
Rueben Bain Jr currently has a first round grade, and I believe he is the clear EDGE1 in the 2026 draft class. With translatable traits with his play strength, run defense, and pass rush plan, Bain Jr is a player that can play an immediate snap-heavy role at a good level for a rookie. I am very high on Bain’s floor, but I do have questions on the level of his upside due to his shorter frame and good-not-great athleticism. Bain may lack the combination of size and athleticism seen in the best edge rushers in the league, but I believe he is going to be a very good starter for a long time.
Athletic Testing
Will be updated after the NFL Combine/Miami Pro Day
Pro Comparison
Image 3: EDGE Chris Long (91) during his 13.0 sack season with Saint Louis
Although he played as a 3-4 DE during his time at Virginia, Chris Long reminds me a lot of Rueben Bain Jr as both are shorter, stockier edge rushers with power, bend, and flexibility. Though his flashes of stardom in 2011 and 2012 were derailed by a series of lower-body injuries, Long’s power and run defense ability made him a key player for two separate Super Bowl rosters. Though I hope he avoids the injuries, I believe Bain Jr can carve out a similar career: a high-level contributor at EDGE that falls short of being one of the premier players in the league.
Date Published: 9/23/2025
Date Last Updated: 9/23/2025