Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. Scouting Report
Forecast: A Tropical Bain-storm Has Hit Miami
Image 1: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) chasing down Florida’s QB
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 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’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. At just 18, Bain Jr was one of the top defensive linemen in the country, winning the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and being a member of the Third-Team All-ACC selection. As a sophomore, Bain’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 proven that he has not lost any of his ability after producing an impressive 2025 campaign. As one of the top prospects in the class, Bain has the chance to go very high in 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 is extremely sturdy when holding his gap and setting a firm edge. As a pass rusher, Bain is highly effective at utilizing his immense power and leverage advantage to collapse pockets. Due to this, Bain is a great neutral/run down player when containing or controlling the C-Gap. Though he does have shorter arms, Bain is effective at positioning against OTs to gain control of his gap. The only concern with Bain’s length is that he will have some issues finishing and tackling consistently.
Video 1: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) using his strength and leverage against the drive block
Video 2: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) pushing back the OT when engaging the block
Video 3: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) pushing the pocket with his power and leverage
Unlike other thicker built, powerful edges, Bain has good speed and explosiveness for someone his size. Though not a rare straight-line athlete, Bain does possess great bend for a bigger EDGE (I am defining bend as the ability to maintain your rush angle through contact, not exclusively flexibility). Bain is shockingly effective when aligned wide, as he can convert speed to power while having the flexibility to bend through contact. Due to his physical tools, Bain is a player you can give two-way goes as he has enough athletic tools to win in space. While Bain may lack the upside to be amongst the elite pass rushers in the sport, Bain ability to rush with power will also let him be a great setup man for other pass rushers by pushing pockets or crashing on stunts.
There has been recent discussion over Bain’s position in the NFL due to his arm length. I find it odd that people are applying the idea that short arms may require players to kick inside when plenty of good EDGEs have been stumpy (Ex. Aidan Hutchinson, Brandon Graham, Trey Hendrickson, etc). In addition, Bain’s ability as a pass rusher would be limited if asked to work in tighter spaces on the inside. While he can push pockets, Bain is special for his ability to work in space due to his speed to power and bend. While he could be an effective contain player and run defender at DT, Bain’s pass rush would not translate, as he works best when aligned wide.
Video 4: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) converting speed-to-power to register a pressure
Video 5: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) maintaining his rush angle through the OT’s contact
Video 6: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) maintaining his angle through the OT’s contact
Technicals
While his power, speed, and bend flashes on tape, Bain has solid ability to win as a technical winner. With a swipe and club in his arsenal, Bain has pass rush moves that can serve as a change-up or counter in his pass rush plan. Bain 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. Despite this, Bain has enough technical refinement and physical tools to get real pass rush designed for him early on as a rookie. Though this does not sound significant at first, EDGE prospects with enough technical winning and athletic tools to get these looks as rookies are uncommon and usually are off the board within the first few picks.
Video 7: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) uses a club on the OT’s outside hand
Video 8: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) uses a swipe-swim as an inside-counter
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 tackles the RB
Video 10: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (4) gets off the block and trips the RB
Draft Projection
Rueben Bain Jr currently has a day one grade and is my only day one graded EDGE in the class. With run defense, pocket push, and one-on-one pass rushing ability, Bain is an immediate high impact player that can play a big role as a rookie. Though he lacks high-end traits to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL, Bain still is capable of being a team’s number one pass rusher while also being great at setting up other plays by pushing pockets and crashing on stunts. With a good floor and solid ceiling, Bain is a safe prospect to be a good contributor as long as his soft tissue issues do not return. While he is ideally a class’ EDGE1 (he would have been my EDGE5 last year), Bain is a player I would select high considering the poor EDGE talent this year.
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 at Virginia, Chris Long reminds me a lot of Rueben Bain Jr as both are stumpy, stocky EDGEs with power, bend, and fluidity. 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 can be a similar player to prime Long: a number one pass rusher who was a good run defender, pocket pusher, and crasher/looper.
Date Published: 9/23/2025
Date Last Updated: 12/29/2025
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