Rueben Bain Jr., the Miami native and junior defensive lineman for the Hurricanes, has been named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List. As the Miami Hurricanes faithful knows, Bain has the ability to win an award like this, it will just depend on health. The ACC had seven players on the watch list which goes as follows:
- LB Kyle Louis, Pitt
- S Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU
- DE T.J. Parker, Clemson
- CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
- DT Peter Woods, Clemson
- CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
- DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
In 2024, Bain battled a calf injury that sidelined him for nearly four games but still posted 23 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, earning All‑ACC honorable mention honors. It was a sophomore season punctuated by grit and resilience. His freshman campaign in 2023 was more dominant as he recorded 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks over 13 games, which earned him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, third-team All‑ACC honors, and multiple Freshman All‑America selections.
Only two Hurricanes have ever won the Nagurski Trophy: Warren Sapp in 1994 and Dan Morgan in 2000. The Hurricanes have five players on major national award watch lists: Anez Cooper and Francis Mauigoa for the Outland Trophy, quarterback Carson Beck on the Maxwell Award list and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe to the Butkus Award list.
The FWAA will announce a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday this season just like they have in previous seasons. The initial list features 60 defenders across all positions on the defense. The list includes 21 linebackers, 11 defensive ends/edge rushers, 10 cornerbacks, 10 defensive tackles and eight safeties. The finalists will be announced in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed on December 8 in Charlotte, followed by the awards banquet.