Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor spoke to reporters on Thursday after practice about the expectations for Rueben Bain following an injury-plagued 2024 season. Bain was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. Bain was injured on the opening series of the 2024 season in a 41-17 win at Florida.
As a freshman in 2023, Bain had 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one pass breakup and one pass defended. Bain put up those numbers without receiving significant playing time until the fourth game of the 2023 season. In addition to being named ACC DROY, Bain was also a 2023 Freshman All-American.
Bain finished with 23 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks in 2024. The numbers for Bain all occurred over the final eight games of the 2024 season. Bain's 2024 per-game numbers were slightly behind what he produced in 2023. Miami needs Bain healthy to improve significantly defensively in 2025.
Miami is relying on Bain, Akheem Mesidor and a young group of edge rushers as the roster stands in spring practice. Bain and Mesidor are two of the most experienced players on the 2025 Miami defense. Taylor discussed the second-guessing of Bain's performance in 2024. Bain should be motivated to prove doubters wrong in 2025.
"Last year...he had an injury second play of the game...that...put him out five weeks...that's what held him back. People talk about sophomore slump...the guy got hurt...playing hard chasing trying to burst to go get the quarterback and had an injury. Bain works at it...I'm always the last one out of here cuz he likes to work...He's doing a really good job of finding little things...that he feels like he's not as efficient at or maybe he has lost power...it feels like he taking a bad step and he finds those things every day and we work them after practice... He's in line to do what he's supposed to do...i"m looking forward to Bain having a big year."Miami DL Coach Jason Taylor
On Friday Pro Football Focus named Bain as the fourth-best returning edge rusher in 2024. Bain is third among returning edge rushers with 73 pressures among edge rushers and fourth with a 16.9 pass-rush win rate since 2023 and was also fourth with an 82.7 run defense grade during the 2024 season.
Bain's versatility to play on the edge or inside makes him one of the most versatile defensive linemen nationally. Bain never had more than one sack in a game in 2024, but twice recorded 2.0 TFLs and contributed eight tackles in Miami's 28-23 loss at Georgia Tech in November that ended their undefeated season.
A look at Rueben Bain, who’s going into his Junior year: pic.twitter.com/VoscJbw0Z0
— CanesMuse (@canes_muse) March 18, 2025
This spring and August training camp will be critical for Bain to re-establish himself as one of the best defensive linemen nationally in 2025. Miami could seek to add experienced depth at edge rusher for 2025 during the spring transfer portal window that is open April 15-24.
Defensive tackle David Blay transferred from Louisiana Tech to Miami during the winter portal window and is expected to be an impact player for Miami in 2025. Blay will likely start at one DT spot for Miami with sophomore Justin Scott. Bain and Mesidor are the projected starting edge rushers for Miami in 2025.
Bain and Miami will have multiple opportunities in the first five games of the 2025 season. Miami opens with Notre Dame who traditionally has an elite offensive line. Three weeks later Miami hosts Florida to finish non-conference play. After a bye, Miami opens ACC play versus Florida State who had a weak offensive line in 2024.