Rueben Bain had historically elite 2023 freshman season

Rueben Bain had the second highest Power Five freshman pass-rushing grade in 10 years that Pro Football Focus has provided metrics beginning in 2014. Myles Garrett, the first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns is the only player in the PFF era to receive a higher freshman pass rush grade than Bain.

Bain had 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a true freshman in 2023. Garrett had 49 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 11.0 sacks and one pass defended as a true freshman for Texas A&M in 2014. Bain surpassed three college football legends during his freshmen season.

Harold Perkins of LSU had 72 tackles, 13.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception as a true freshman in 2022, Joey Bosa of Ohio State had 34 tackles, 16 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, two passes defended and one fumble recovery in 2017 as Ohio State won the Big 10 and the Cotton Bowl.

Dexter Lawrence of Clemson had 63 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 7.0 tackles and one pass defended to help Clemson to a national title after the 2016 season. Bosa, a St. Thomas Aquinas alum, became the second pick of the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Fransico 49ers. Lawrence 17th pick in 2019 by the New York Giants.

Bain followed in Lawrence's footsteps, winning the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Lawrence won the award in 2016. Bain was also a unanimous Freshman All-American in 2023 and third-team All-ACC. The ACC named Bain the Defensive Freshman of the Week twice and the Defensive Lineman of the Week once in 2023.

Entering the 2024 season, Bain should receive preseason All-ACC and All-American consideration. Led by Bain, Miami should have one of the best defensive lines in the country in 2024. Bain proved his doubters wrong with a great 2023 freshman season. Bain was a four-star signee with Miami because some scouts stated he was undersized.