National website names Rueben Bain top 20 2024 defensive player

Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain is 16th in the 247Sports "College football rankings: Top 20 defensive players for 2024 season." Bain is coming off a breakout 2023 season earning the ACC Rookie Defensive Player of the Year and being named a Freshman All-American.

After posting modest stats in the first three games of the 2023 season, Bain began to emerge in the fourth game versus Temple. Bain became a starter a week earlier versus Bethune-Cookman. Bain had eight tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble versus Clemson in his first dominant performance in 2024.

The game versus Clemson was followed up with seven tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two sacks and a pass defended versus Virginia a week later. Bain was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance versus Clemson and the conference's Rookie of the Week versus the Tigers and Virginia.

Bain is the seventh highest-rated defensive lineman, fourth-ranked edge rusher and second-ranked player in the ACC behind Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter on the 247Sports ranking of the Top 20 Defensive Players for the 2024 season. Garrett Hughes of 247Sports summarized Bain.

"16. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

Bain delivered a dominant true freshman campaign in 2023. He finished with 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks and took home ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said he's "expecting an even better year" from the former top-100 prospect this fall."

- Grant Hughes, 247Sports

Bain should live up to Cristobal''s projection that he will have a better year in 2024. Miami has a deep group of edge rushers that will minimize opponents being able to double-team him. Akheem Mesidor returns from a foot injury that cost him most of 2023 and Miami added Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron as transfers.

Bain was one of five Miami players named to the preseason All-ACC team. Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa was the only other Miami defensive player named preseason All-ACC. Bain has exceeded his rating as a four-star signee in the 2024 class. Any doubts about Bain being undersized were proven last season.