Rueben Bain Jr. dominates college football, clinching the Ted Hendricks Award and spearheading the Miami Hurricanes' resurgence en route to the NFL Draft.
The Miami Hurricanes' defense was among the best in the nation, with edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. as one of the leaders. The 21-year-old finished the year with 54 total tackles, 30 solos and 24 assists, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one pass broken up, one interception, two passes defended, and one forced fumble in 16 games, starting in all.
The Miami native had such a spectacular season that he was named the Ted Hendricks Award winner, which is presented to the best defensive end in college football annually. Bain Jr. is the first in program history to earn the award.
He played a tremendous role in the Hurricanes' turnaround, committing as a four-star recruit coming out of Miami Central High School. He joined the team a year after Mario Cristobal's initial season, finishing with a 5-7 record.
Bain Jr. was a major factor in the Hurricanes' National Championship run, recording 17 total tackles, 11 solos and six assists, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks. Despite falling short, he's leaving the program better than before his arrival.
The junior edge rusher has declared for the upcoming NFL draft, projected to be an early first-round selection. Bain Jr. is not participating in the Senior Bowl, given the extended playoff run, and not risking injuries.
Many notable players who have won the Ted Hendricks award are currently in the NFL and carving out solid careers, such as Bradley Chubb with the Miami Dolphins, Aidan Hutchinson with the Detroit Lions, Donovan Ezeiruaku with the Dallas Cowboys, and many others.
Bain Jr. showed dominance throughout his final season with the Hurricanes, being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, earning 40 votes, and earning All-American honors.
From the top-10 NFL draft selections by order, the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals were among the worst in sacks in the league this past season. Those are defenses that Bain Jr. could help transform, the same task accomplished with the Hurricanes.
There have been 60-plus football players to come through the program and end up being an NFL first-round selection. Bain Jr. will certainly join a great company.
The NFL Combine takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Lucas Oil Stadium, from Feb. 23rd to March 2nd. The Hurricanes' edge rusher could participate and solidify his stock in front of scouts, coaches, and owners.
Bain Jr. embarks on a new chapter in football.
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