Dominant edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. heads to Tampa Bay as a first-round pick, trading an iconic collegiate digit for a fresh look with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Miami, FL. – Across multiple sports, jersey numbers are associated with iconic players: No. 42 for Jackie Robinson, No. 23 for Michael Jordan, No. 12 for Tom Brady, etc. At least for the foreseeable future, the No. 4 will be associated with Rueben Bain Jr. in South Florida. The All-American edge rusher spent three years with the Miami Hurricanes, now joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 21-year-old is coming off an 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 a 12-yard interception against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He started in all 16 games, displaying a great level of dominance. When No. 4 was lined up, opposing offenses knew there was trouble nearby.
The Miami native embarks on a new journey with a new number. The Buccaneers announced that Bain Jr. will officially wear No. 3 for the upcoming NFL season. It can be purchased online and at the team store located at Raymond James Stadium.
As a freshman at Miami Central High School, Bain Jr. wore No. 58 before switching to No. 4. He kept that number up until joining the Hurricanes in 2023, wearing No. 44. As a collegiate freshman, the Miami native recorded 44 total tackles, 23 solos and 21 assists, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a pass defended, and a pass broken up in 13 games played, including 11 starts.
Despite a productive season, the Hurricanes went 7-6.
As a sophomore, Bain Jr. wore No. 4 to start the year before reverting to No. 44. He missed four regular-season games due to an undisclosed injury suffered in the opening defensive drive against the Florida Gators. Bain Jr. went on to log 23 total tackles, 14 solos and nine assists, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in nine total games, all starts.
In an introductory press conference with Buccaneers media, the first-round selection wasn’t too invested in claiming No. 4, but rather taking what was best available.
“I’ve been told [No. 4] is already took, it’s busy right now,” he said. “Honestly, it’s whatever they end up giving me. I’m a little frugal, so all that buying the jersey stuff off people, I probably won’t do that. Just take what they give me and go play some football.”
The No. 4 is currently occupied by kicker Chase McLaughlin on the Buccaneers.
A new number, but Bain Jr. looks to deliver the same level of dominance to the pros.
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