Mario Cristobal was hired by the Miami football program in part to elevate recruiting. When he was hired, Cristobal stated the line of scrimmage would be a priority. Protecting the quarterback and rushing the passer has become critical for success in the modern era of college football.
The addition of elite four-star edge rusher Rueben Bain on Tuesday night was the latest blue-chip edge rusher added by Mario Cristobal in the last two recruiting classes. Bain joins four-star commits Collins Acheampong and Jayden Wayne in the class of 2023. The Early National Signing Period is December 21-23.
Bain has 145 tackles, 92 tackles for loss and 57 sacks during his high school career for Miami Central. In the last two years, Bain has 105 tackles, 68 TFLs and 47.5 TFLs. Miami could ask the 6’2, 250-pound Bain to bulk up and move inside. Bain is the 70th-ranked player, ninth edge rusher and 14th in Florida in the Class of 2023.
Wayne is ranked slightly below Bain as the 72nd ranked player, 11th edge rusher and 15th prospect in Florida out of IMG Academy in the Class of 2023 per the 247 Sports composite rankings. Acheampong is the 154th player, 19th edge rusher and 11th-ranked prospect in California.
Acheampong, Bain and Wayne will join the top two signees in the 2022 Miami football class at edge rusher, Cyrus Moss and Nyjalik Kelly. Moss was the 70th-ranked player, eighth edge rusher and second-best prospect from Nevada in 2022. Kelly was 90th, 14th and 14th in Florida out of Fort Lauderdale Dillard in 2022.
Kelly was productive as a true freshman in limited playing time with 11 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and four sacks. Moss made his debut at Georgia Tech with a QB hurry. Miami returns primary 2022 edge rushers Jahfari Harvey and Akheem Mesidor to the 2023 roster. Mesidor tied for the Miami lead with 10.5 TFLs and led with seven sacks.
Kelly will likely be third in the rotation of Miami edge rushers in 2023 replacing Mitchell Agude who was a senior in 2022. Harvey had 7.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in 2022. The Miami football program is also pursuing Texas A&M transfer DL Tunmise Adeleye. Expect Miami to add a few DL through the transfer portal.