From dominant playmaking to playoff glory, the elite Miami Hurricanes star edge rusher shares the single game that defined an unforgettable college experience.
After three seasons playing for the Miami Hurricanes, edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. carved out several highlights. Whether it was getting the first of many sacks against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats or performing in the College Football Playoffs, the Miami native emerged as one of the most elite and dominant players in the nation.
Bain Jr. is coming off a consensus First Team All-American season: 54 total tackles, 30 solos and 24 assists, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two passes defended, a forced fumble, a pass broken-up, and an interception, starting in all 16 games. He earned other significant accolades: ACC Defensive Player of the Year, the Ted Hendricks Award winner, and First Team All-ACC. Given all the success, the 21-year-old shared his favorite moment after three years with the program.
“True fun was Notre Dame,” he said on Wednesday’s edition of Storm Sessions. “That fourth quarter was true fun, like flying around, having a good time, just enjoying it, smiling. Even in [the National Championship]. It was my last game, so I’m [going to] forever remember. It didn’t end the way we wanted to, but I felt like I was playing my heart out and gave it everything I had. I was enjoying the time from the first snap to the last. I feel like everything happened for a reason. It was a lesson for me.”
The Hurricanes secured a 27-24 victory against the Fighting Irish program on Aug. 31, 2025. They led by as many as 14 points until a second-half surge occurred. However, Bain Jr. and the rest of the defense carved out key fourth-quarter stops, including two consecutive sacks by edge rusher Akheem Mesidor. The win was significant in making the College Football Playoffs in the first place.
Bain Jr. was one of the key players contributing to the Hurricanes’ turnaround, especially when coach Mario Cristobal first took over the program. Despite having offers to play for other elite schools, he chose to stay close to home and help reshape the image of “The U.”
As the NFL Draft is a few hours away, the Miami native is projected to be a first-round selection, potentially top-10. He’s met with several franchises, including the Kansas City Chiefs, who own the ninth pick and hosted a visit.
Bain Jr. will be live at the event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He will have an opportunity to walk the stage when called upon by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by an organization look to add a dominant force to its defense. Despite murmurs circulating about short arm length for a defensive end, Bain Jr. proved to be productive against the best prospects in the nation.
The NFL Draft will be streaming at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC.
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