Rueben Bain is having an outstanding season. The truth is he might be the best player in college football and should legitimately be in the Heisman discussion. FanDuel has Bain as a +6500 to win the award (in comparison, Carson Beck is +1000), but that could change with another big game in the national spotlight.
With the Hurricanes' defensive end shooting up the NFL draft boards to the point of where he could be the first player taken next spring, it's no surprise that he has become the focal point of opposing offenses.
Here’s how Rueben Bain’s grade right now compares to previous Heisman finalists at edge defender https://t.co/ShMNXBz8JZ pic.twitter.com/oLj8lo5bgq
— Max Chadwick (@CFBMaxChadwick) September 26, 2025
Mike Norvell is very aware of Bain's game-wrecking ability and the FSU head coach endorsed Bain as one of the best defensive ends in the country.
"I think Rueben's...he's playing as good as he's [ever] played. He came in as a freshman and you saw the flash. Last year was solid and this year he's taken his game to an elite level. They're moving him around, he's not stationary," Norvell said during his mid-week press conference. "He's playing hard against the run, he's been great against the pass. You see the complete player that he is, and he's positioned himself as one of the best defensive ends in the country."
FSU has the No. 2 rushing attack in the country, partially bolstered by big numbers against patsies like East Texas A&M and Kent State, but the talent is legitimate. It's going to be a big test for Bain and Miami's No. 8-ranked run defense. But the Hurricanes are well tested this season with Notre Dame, USF and Florida all failing to reach the 100-yard mark.
Bain looks like a top-5 NFL draft pick
Different NFL mock drafts have Bain being selected in the top ten, but he continues to make a case to go higher and potentially be the first defensive player taken off the board. CBS Sports has Bain currently ranked as their No. 7 NFL draft prospect, but Mike Renner sees room for that to improve.
""If we were serious about giving the Heisman to the best player in college football, Bain would be the front-runner. He's playing with a level of physicality that's unblockable. He's played his way into a top 3 pick.""CBS Sports' Mike Renner on Rueben Bain