Miami football DL Rueben Bain named Superstar Set to emerge nationally

After a breakout freshman season, Miami football defensive lineman Rueben Bain was named by Chris Hummer of 247Sports as one of "College football's next wave of superstars in 2024: 16 players set to emerge." Bain was the 2023 ACC Rookie Defensive Player of the Year.

Bain far exceeded his four-star ranking in the 2023 Class. The 247Sports Composite Rankings had Bain as the 11th-best edge rusher in the 2023 Class. Pro Football Focus graded Bain as the best 2023 freshman edge rusher. After his outstanding 2023 season, Bain was named on several Freshmen All-American teams.

Expect Bain to receive mentions on the 2024 Preseason All-American teams. Miami will have a deep and talented group of 2024 edge rushers led by Bain. Nyjalik Kelly and Akheem Mesidor return for Miami after missing most of the 2023 season with injuries. Miami added Marshall transfer edge rusher Elijah Alston.

Miami finished 18th nationally with 88 tackles for loss and tied for 22 with 35 sacks in 2023. With another year of experience for Bain, the return of Kelly and Mesidor plus the addition of Alston, Miami should be able to rotate its edge rushers frequently in 2024. Expect Bain to be more productive as a sophomore.

"RUEBEN BAIN, EDGE, MIAMI
This version of Bain wasn't born in the darkness like the villain in the Dark Knight Rises, but he's no less powerful coming off the edge.

Bain emerged as an immediate difference maker for Miami as a true freshman last season, posting 12 1/2 tackles for loss and 7 1/2 sacks. He had stretches of dominance, too, taking over games against Clemson and Virginia.

Looking forward to his second college season, Bain projects to only improve. He's a sawed-off edge rusher whose superpower is his burst off the line. Bain created 45 pressures last season, which was 10 more than any other first-year Power Five player.

He's a dominant edge player for a team that will carry plenty of hype into 2024. Get used to hearing his name. People won't be in the dark about him for long."

- Chris Hummer, 247Sports

The two-game stretch versus Clemson and Virginia was the best Bain played in 2023. Bain had eight tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble as Miami beat Clemson in overtime. A week later versus Virginia, Bain had 7 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two sacks and one pass defended in another win. Bain finished the season with 44 tackles.

At 6'3 and 275 pounds, Bain was doubted because he is shorter than most edge rushers. After a dominant high school career at Miami Central and a breakout freshman season, Bain proved he is one of the elite edge rushers nationally. Expect Bain to continue being one of the best DL nationally for the next two years.