Bucs Defensive Rookie Bain Impressing Coaches At Minicamp
Bucs rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is busy impressing coaches at minicamp. He received high praise from head coach Todd Bowles, who also serves as defensive coordinator.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted standout edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. out of the University of Miami with the 15th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many believed Bain would have gone in the top-10 or even the top five, because as a prospect, he's shown his ability to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.
But his measurables and the "short arms" tag may have deterred teams from taking him earlier. In his college football career at Miami, Bain amassed 121 total tackles with 33. 5 being for loss.
He had 20. 5 sacks, one interception, two passed defended and four forced fumbles. His senior season was statistically Bain's best season, really shining, accumulating 54 total tackles, 15.
5 of which for loss, nine and a half for loss, one interception, one pass defended and a forced fumble. He was named ACC Defensive Player of The Year, won the Ted Hendricks Award for nation's best linebacker, along with being named a consensus All-American. Bain helped lead Miami to the College Football Playoff National Championship where they were defeated by the Indiana Hoosiers.