Rueben Bain Jr.'s arms measured 30 7/8 inches at the NFL Combine, immediately creating questions about whether NFL offensive tackles would be able to use their superior length to neutralize one of college football's most disruptive defensive linemen. Tampa Bay was comfortable betting against that concern when it selected Bain No. 15 overall, and the first few weeks of training camp have made the decision look pretty good.
We'll start calling this a 3️⃣ for 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/Zh9kVWLj2H
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 12, 2026
Rueben Bain Jr. is making his biggest NFL Draft concern look pretty irrelevant
The latest evidence came during Wednesday's second joint practice with the New York Jets, when Bain was credited with three sacks. Quarterbacks cannot be hit in joint practices, but Bain was putting Smith under constant duress.
New York has invested heavily at offensive tackle, taking Armand Membou No. 7 overall in 2025 after selecting Olu Fashanu No. 11 in 2024. Bain was getting the better of Membou, including a sack late in the Jets' two-minute period on a play where Membou was also flagged for holding.
His success in the joint practices may mean that Hurricanes fans will barely get to see him on Friday night.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles said Bain will play "not much, if at all" when Tampa Bay opens the preseason against New York. Most Buccaneers starters are expected to sit after getting extensive work during the two joint practices.
If Bain does get a series or two, his most likely matchups would come against New York's tackles. Anez Cooper, however, is a Canes connection worth watching once New York begins rotating its offensive line. The Jets selected him No. 188 overall in the sixth round and he is fighting for a role behind a fairly established starting group.
Tampa Bay also has Keionte Scott, whom the Buccaneers selected No. 116 overall in the fourth round. Scott has been moving around Bowles' defense throughout camp, taking snaps at nickel, outside corner and safety. Unlike Bain, Scott is not listed as a starter and should have much more to gain from preseason snaps as Tampa Bay figures out where his skill set fits.
Tampa Bay even has another former Hurricane in veteran edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, who played at Miami in 2013 and 2015. Muhammad is coming off a career year with Detroit in which he recorded 11 sacks and 20 quarterback hits.
Across the field, the Jets also have former Miami linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, who is entering his second NFL season after New York drafted him in the fifth round in 2025.
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