General manager Jason Licht made it clear that the Bucs believe they are getting a tone-setting player that can shape their 2026 rookie class.
Licht joined "The Pat McAfee Show" after the Bucs selected Rueben Bain with the No. 15 overall pick and Miami defensive back Keionte Scott in the fourth round at No. 116. The conversation turned into praise for what Mario Cristobal has built at Miami.
"Coach Cristobal has done an amazing job restoring that Miami program..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 5, 2026
That was a six to midnight moment when Rueben Bain snatched that hat" 😂😂 ~ @jasonrlicht #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/vswR5V0gHV
Bucs GM Jason Licht praises Mario Cristobal's Miami program
Bain had five tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and blocked a 22-yard field goal in Miami's 10-3 first-round win over Texas A&M. The blocked kick came early in the second quarter after the Aggies reached the Miami 11, and it helped preserve what became a defensive slugfest.
Scott is a versatile and productive defensive back who played a hybrid nickel role at Miami after previously playing outside corner and in the slot at Auburn.
"Coach Cristobal has done an amazing job restoring that program to where I remember it as a kid. I was a big Nebraska fan and went to Nebraska, played there for a little bit. But the U, they were unbelievable and they had all those players [who] just love football."Jason Licht
Licht said Tampa Bay talked with Miami's staff during the evaluation process, and both Bain and Scott were described as heartbeat-of-the-team type players. That fits perfectly with what the Bucs were trying to add to their defense.
"We talked to their staff. Reuben — Keionte too — described as his heartbeat of [the] team. And we're looking for those kind of guys."Jason Licht
Tampa Bay hopes to make it back to the postseason after an 8-9 season that saw the Bucs finish second in the NFC South. They began the 2025 season with a 6-2 record.
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