Star defender Rueben Bain Jr. sees a confident, championship-bound future for the Miami Hurricanes, built on returning talent and a new winning culture.
The National Championship game marked the finale for many Miami Hurricanes players, including star edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. He's one of the few homegrown talents to remain loyal to Mario Cristobal and the program through trials and tribulations, seeing the light at the other end of the tunnel, which is significant in the current transfer portal era.
Despite falling short of the glory, the Miami native helped establish a new standard and culture within the program for years to come. In an interview with CBS Miami on Sunday, Bain Jr. expressed his confidence in the team's future.
"I'm very confident," he said. "I'm just confident in the [defensive] line, the [offensive] line, the whole position group, coaches in the program, the students that assist us, everybody."
"We all got the right kind of people, right mindset in the building."
The 21-year-old is coming off an All-American season, playing and starting in all 16 games, recording 54 total tackles, 30 solos and 24 assists, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass broken up, two passes defended, and one interception.
Bain Jr., alongside edge rushing star Akheem Mesidor, played a critical role in the Hurricanes' success on the defensive side of the field. The ability to swarm at quarterbacks quickly and disrupt plays was among the best in the country. However, there's no doubt in his mind that high-level production will carry over into next season.
"The only older guys leaving this year are me, Akheem, and David [Blay], Bain Jr. added. "Other than that, it's a room full of returners. You see the standard we played."
"I feel like come around this time next year, we'll be playing for the same thing."
It was reported that veteran defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. and linebacker Mohamed Toure are returning for next season. There are a few notable players expected to take bigger leaps, such as Marquise Lightfoot, Hayden Lowe, Justin Scott, and Armondo Blount.
Also, the Hurricanes added a few big bodies from the transfer portal, such as Keona Davis, Jarquez Carter, and Damon Wilson II.
Bain Jr. left an unforgettable mark on the program as he prepares to step into the biggest stages of football. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year is projected to be an early first-round selection.
The NFL Scouting Combine will take place from Feb. 26th to March 1st in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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