Miami Defensive Lineman Rueben Bain selected 15th overall to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Written By: Marcus Benjamin

PITTSBURGH -- The second Miami Hurricane selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft was Rueben Bain Jr.  The standout defensive end from Miami Central High School was chosen 15th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Francis Mauigoa was selected 10th overall by the New York Giants) on Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.

Bain donned an all-brown suit with a picture of the street sign in which he grew up on the inside of his jacket.  

“I’m ready right now,” Bain said after being drafted.  “I’m coming to work, and I’m coming to grind.”

Bain joins fellow Miami native and two-year pro Calijah Kancey in Tampa, a former AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honoree.  

“That’s a hometown guy,” Bain said post-draft of Kancey.  “Now we get to team up together.  I watched him when I was growing up, and now we get the chance to play together.  It’s surreal for me.”

Bain finished his career as a Miami Hurricane in impressive fashion.  In the 2025 season, Bain was a consensus NCAA All-American and became the first player in Miami history to ever be recognized for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top pass-rusher.  

The former four-star 2023 prospect earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors by starting all 16 games in 2025, recording 54 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks while helping the Hurricanes to their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff. Bain also recorded one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups, helping Miami win a program-record 13 games.

Over his three-year college career, Bain played in 38 games with 36 starts, totaling 121 tackles, 67 solo tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks. He added four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and three pass breakups during his collegiate career.

List of Accomplishments:

• 2025 Consensus First Team All-American

• 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year

• 2025 Ted Hendricks Award winner

• 2025 All-ACC First Team

• 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy finalist

• 2024 All-ACC Honorable Mention

• 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year

• 2023 All-ACC Third Team

• 2023 Freshman All-American

• Recorded 83 quarterback pressures in 2025, tied for the most in a single season in the Pro Football Focus College Era

• Totaled 54 tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, and 9.5 sacks in 2025

• Added one interception, one forced fumble, and one blocked field goal in 2025

• Key leader on a Miami defense that led the ACC and ranked in the top 15 nationally in scoring defense (14.8 ppg), rushing defense (89.3 ypg), sacks (50), and total defense (294.1 ypg)

• Finished career with 33.5 tackles-for-loss and 20.5 sacks

Miami Athletics and ACC Communications contributed to this report