“Good Football Player”
April 24th, 2026
Miami edge Rueben Bain.
*IF* new Bucs edge rusher Rueben Bain can overcome the obstacles he will face his rookie season with the Bucs, it will be obvious he is a good football player.
Veteran NFL scribe Bob McGinn found scouts calling Bain “good” when he did his research on the Miami Mauler for his position rankings for GoLongTD.com.
McGinn ranked Bain as the second-best edge rusher in the draft.
2. RUEBEN BAIN, Miami (6-2, 264, no 40, 1): Third-year junior started all three years. “Good football player,” one scout said.
“He’s a power player. He runs through people. Uses his hands pretty well. Can collapse the pocket. Has short arms. Not the rangiest body type. Doesn’t have a ton of speed. He’s not your historical top-5, top-10 D-lineman.” Arms were merely 30 7/8. Hands were small, too (9 1/8).
“I think he’ll be the first defensive lineman or edge guy taken since ’99 or something with under 31-inch arms,” a second scout said. “He’ll be a major outlier. He’s super physical and aggressive but Bain is a tweener. He’s got no position. He’s not tall or lanky enough to be a defensive end. He’s not really athletic or fast enough to be an outside backer. And he’s too small to be a defensive tackle. Does he have a motor? Yes. Does he have physical hands? Yes. Is he active with his hands? Yes. As a technician, he’s going to wear a lot of bad college linemen out with his hands and effort. He did that. But, wow, do I think he’s going to get blocked in the NFL? I do.”
Finished with 121 tackles (33 ½ for loss), 20 ½ sacks, four forced fumbles and two batted passes.
“His quickness and power are just outstanding,” said a third scout. “He’s violent in how he plays. He’s always around the quarterback. He’s going to be the exception to the rule because I don’t think he’s very fast. He’s probably smart he didn’t run because I think he’d run around 4.8. I like edge rushers that have speed but he’s an anomaly for me. There are a lot of other parts of his game that he will compensate with.”
Compared by one scout to Kwity Paye. “Those short arms and that size will be a concern,” a fourth scout said. “More of an overachiever-type athlete than a natural, fluid, silky kind of dude. But you love the way he plays. He’s tough as hell. Best thing about his pass rush is he’s relentless. Gives effort against the run. Kills the tight ends. He gets smothered up a little bit by those big (tackles). They’ll get him. He’s like a Brandon Graham.”
Four-star recruit from Miami, where he led Central High to four straight state titles and amassed 77 sacks. “He’s a really, really good college player,” a fifth scout said. “When I watch him against some of the better tackles he struggled a little bit. His best shot’s going to be as a 4-3 D-end. To me, if I’m going to take him top 15, I’m hoping to get somebody that’s going to come in and give me eight sacks and build up to like double digits in the next year or two. I don’t know that that’s what he is.”
Joe just hopes — for Team Glazer’s checkbook and Bain’s skillset — that someone comes to their senses on the coaching staff and knocks off this “we ask [edge rushers] to do other things.”
Do you ask your dentist to remove cancer cysts? Do you have your plumber change your transmission? Do you have your landscaper repair your air conditioner?
Let Bain eat! If Joe sees Bain trying to cover new slimy Saints receiver Jordyn Tyson, Joe may just jump off the upper deck at The Licht House.
April 24th, 2026 at 12:03 am
If Joe jumped off the top of the stadium the IQ of this website would increase to low triple digits.
April 24th, 2026 at 12:12 am
Bain will be alright in Tampa
He has a high motor, he’s tough, plays violent
And he played at 2 great football programs, Miami Central and Miami U
April 24th, 2026 at 12:14 am
Don’t go threatening people with a good time!
Speaking of threats, can we threaten Bowles now with hiring Jason Taylor as the Bain’s coach that only reports to the overrated GM and ownership?
For the life of me I cannot figure out what Joe is whining about here at the end of the day but it sure is entertaining!
April 24th, 2026 at 12:14 am
Even LT dropped into coverage at times Joe. It’s a team game and the bucs team go better today.
April 24th, 2026 at 12:18 am
Joe swears if he sees Bain trying to cover new slimy Saints receiver Jordyn Tyson, Joe may just jump off the upper deck at the Licht House.
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Oh no! Don’t say that Joe – I like the around the clock updates, and one Joe just won’t be able to keep up the pace by themselves!
April 24th, 2026 at 12:23 am
The odds are in Bains B-Rex favor that he will at least be an above average player. If he becomes a pro bowl player will depend on Bowles. If you are confident in that raise your hand.
April 24th, 2026 at 12:24 am
I didn’t watch as much tape on Bain as other guys, since I didn’t think he’d be available, but watching his tape I didn’t think he looked slow. Also he’s not as big as advertised, he’s 263 pounds, not his college bill weight of 275, and that’s actually a good thing since it makes me more confident he can play standing up.
As for him being a 4.8 guy? I don’t see that from what I watched. Just know the Anthony Nelson was a combine 4.8 guy, and he looks way slower than Bain. In fact I doubt Nelson could break a 5.2 40 at this point. But still, point being, I don’t think he looks slow.
But as an OLB I think he’ll be just fine based off what I’ve seen – but will likely not be super productive right away and will be more of a typical rookie EDGE guy who needs a year to learn. That’s where I think Mesidor excelled, he felt more like a guy you make a starter from day one since he just has more experience and a bigger move set. But B-REX has a higher ceiling, and he still could have a good rookie year, I certainly wouldn’t discount that.
April 24th, 2026 at 12:28 am
After some thought doesn’t the acquisition of Bain now force Bowles hand to see that he is coached properly ? With Bowles’ history he would never be able to live it down if he screws this up. He needs to BEG for help !
April 24th, 2026 at 12:34 am
Carlton Davis’ “little” cousin, this is great
April 24th, 2026 at 12:41 am
Some tough scouting reports and it admittedly has me a lil worried.
I hope you college ball watchers are happy and correct in your assessment.
April 24th, 2026 at 12:44 am
Carolina got our TE.
April 24th, 2026 at 12:47 am
Bane broke the batman..remember that
April 24th, 2026 at 1:12 am
“I hope you college ball watchers are happy and correct in your assessment.“
Think, Clubber Lang in football pads
April 24th, 2026 at 1:19 am
The scouting reports are great bulletin board material for Bain. Weight up that chip on his shoulder.
April 24th, 2026 at 1:23 am
Other things scares me too. Take some pressure off YaYa too. Great great pick. Add Kancey and Vita. We got something!
April 24th, 2026 at 1:27 am
Quote from My Joe’s article: “ His best shot’s going to be as a 4-3 D-end. “
Just survive the regression coaching until 2027, B-Rex, the cavalry’s coming.
April 24th, 2026 at 2:47 am
I don’t like that scouting report.
Doesn’t seem like a good fit for our 3-4 defense and might not be far enough to actually get all the way to the QB to get sacks. Might be another ‘pressures guy’.
I think we may have f*cked up after reading that scouting report. Dang it. Why would qe draft a 4-3 DE for our 3-4 defense???????!?
April 24th, 2026 at 7:00 am
I have no doubt toilet bowels will have Bain dropping in coverage. Why would he change now? It hasn’t cost him his job yet.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:01 am
“I think we may have f*cked up after reading that scouting report. Dang it. Why would qe draft a 4-3 DE for our 3-4 defense???????!?”
This is not as big a deal as people think, how often do you see 3 down linemen flanked by 2 OLBs with 2 ILBs stacked in the box with just 4 DBs in the grass?
Or better yet, how about our nickel back Parrish in his rookie year playing 72% of the defensive snaps.
Base defense is what it is in name only, it’s not 1998 anymore you don’t have to stack the box because teams are throwing the Power-I at you or running the ball 42 times a game.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:22 am
Short arms, not tall, slow. All he does is kick arse while playing football. I don’t expect him to catch a RB from behind. I expect him to stop the dude in his tracks. JTS had everything you’d want in an edge rusher. Except he was bad at playing football. Glad he has long arms.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:33 am
Bain prolly isn’t fast running a 40 but he is quick off the snap an the power an burst is amazing IDC what a Pass rushers 40 is who cares he isn’t fast running 40 yards down field he Todd I don’t want my pass rushers running down the field 40 yards covering WRs like Yaya did against the bills If Bain is doing that then you really don’t know your personnel I love this pick today we get to add an Inside LB we come away with JRod, Allen, Hill, Louis, Golday I will.be happy like it has to be a LB to Replace Lavonte right now it’s Anzalone with Dennis or Rozeboom next to him i like the last 2 for depth if they need to start due to injury but Dennis hadna down year an needs competition so excited to today this is where we get even. Better
April 24th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Defense round 2 then if you want to grab a.Guard or TE in the 3rd an 4th fine as long as they add a Vet Corner who can help these young guys out Zyon will be fine he was playing hurt last year an had a down year no worries he is.good still can’t believe the Bucs got Bain
April 24th, 2026 at 8:14 am
Im not paying attention nor am i worried about the lack of arm length…
this kid is ready to dominate!!!!
Braswell might not make the team unless he switches positions lol
GO BUCS!!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 8:23 am
Those scouting reports are pretty concerning and explain why he fell. Basically good college player but won’t translate to the NFL.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:40 am
I watch a lot of CFB and Bain has been a player for 3 years at the u. Im a Mole, so Im objective when drafting players for my Bucs. I saw him falling and screamef when RG called his name.
Just watch CFB, yiy can tell who is a player. He produced even in his injured sophmore year.
Yep, his arm length will hurt him at times, but man hes thick, strong, can track the qb, non stop motor, plays the run, hes a dawg and had some serious ciaching at the U. Look. Hes a first rounder all day. Its not like we took a 3rd at the 15th pick. If he turns out to be Brandon Graham, we hit the lotto.
We need so much more in D, but a great start, no brainer pick. And as some of you know, Im a Sadiq guy.
I would like us to burn a 4th to move up for Jrod. I know its chalk, but Bain and Jrod in the first 2 rounds. The D is quickly getting fixed. I also like Hood.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Rounds 2&3 should be either DT, ILB or CB! Any questions? After that knock yourselves out.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:42 am
Jose, if Bain only rushes, that means, unless we are blitzing (God no!), Diaby only drops back. If we remove a D lineman then we can rush both. Simple numbers man.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:44 am
We didn’t draft Bain to get stuff down from the top shelf. Who cares about his arms.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:22 am
I refuse to watch Miami so I know nothing about Bain. So untill he suits up and plays? I will not speculate on highlight reels made by his agent and HC either. Remembering JTS…
Go Bucs!
April 24th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
garro Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 10:22 am
I refuse to watch Miami so I know nothing about Bain. So untill he suits up and plays? I will not speculate on highlight reels made by his agent and HC either. Remembering JTS…
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JTS wasn’t slow, I think it was Licht or someone said he looked like a Greek God, and generally was considered over drafted. He also didn’t have much college production, and shut down and didn’t play for a year because he was afraid of getting a cold.
B-Rex is none of that.
April 24th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Bain is absolutely the best case scenario for the start of this draft, now we need to go get JRod or CJ Allen best linebackers left in this draft. I’m super stoked about Bain, I just have no faith in Bowles
April 24th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
Not exactly the best scouting report… We’ve drafted a lot of tweeners in recent years who were physically gifted and I can’t say too many of them have worked out. Hopefully Bain is the exception and those angry hands make up for the short arms!