Explosive first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. is electrifying Tampa Bay with his high-speed intensity, earning rave reviews from Todd Bowles and veteran teammates during a dominant preseason.
As more and more behind-the-scenes comes out from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, you can see the true admiration the front office had for Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
Ultimately, the Bucs got their guy, as Bain slipped to No. 15 overall.
Throughout rookie camp, OTAs, and now full-team practices, Bain has looked the part, as his violence and intensity on the field has been apparent.
Head coach Todd Bowles was asked about his progression through preseason multiple times this past week.
"He has a very good understanding of the system. He plays fast," Bowles said. "For a rookie coming in knowing what he knows right now, I’m very pleased with him."
On Monday, Bowles seconded his remarks on NFL Network, where he said Bain only knows how to play one way.
"He knows one speed and that's full speed," Bowles added.
While the on-the-field production is obviously stellar, Bowles emphasized his rookie rusher's intelligence and means of preparation, saying that is what will allow him to be great at the NFL level.
Bain has been all-business in camp, saying that he's taking it day-by-day and just trying to improve.
He mentioned starting guard Luke Goedeke as a player he has enjoyed battling with, saying he "doesn't take it for granted" to play against "one of the best in the game."
Bain, in his own right, was one of the best players in the country last season, notching 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
Among the 852 qualified edge defenders in college football, Bain ranked No. 3, earning a 92.5 overall PFF defensive grade.
Against the run, Bain recorded 29 solo tackles and forced two fumbles, adding an interception in pass protection.
Entering the draft, Tampa was in dire need of a boost to the defensive line, with the Bucs' pass rush ranking close to the bottom of the league with a 19.8-percent pressure rate per Pro Football Reference (No. 25 in NFL).
After originally being in contention for the No. 1 overall selection at the end of the college season, when the Hurricanes took runner-up to the Hoosiers in the national championship game, Bain's draft stock sagged after reports resurfaced about a car accident in 2024 in which a passenger in the vehicle he was driving died and he was cited for careless driving.
The charges were later dropped.
Netting a player of Bain's caliber has been touted as one of the steals of the draft, with Bucs Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden predicting a big year from the first rounder.
"I think he can be a double-digit sack guy," Gruden said on the 95.7 WDAE radio show in mid-July. "Now, some of the analytical people are scared of him because of his arm length and some of that stuff. I think he's a double-digit sack guy."
Alongside Yaya Diaby, the Bucs have found their edge rushing core of the future, alongside veterans like Al-Quadin Muhammad and A'Shawn Robinson on the interior.
