Rueben Bain, who won the 2023 ACC Rookie Defensive Player award, has been praised widely in the 2024 off-season. In the ESPN article “Ranking the top pass-rushers in college football for 2024,” Bain is ranked fifth. ESPN’s reporters cast votes to create the rankings.
With eight tackles for loss and five sacks, tied with teammate Francisco Mauigoa, Bain enjoyed a breakout season in the ACC. Bain was selected to the second team of the Conference, was chosen a Freshman All-American, and was awarded ACC Rookie Defensive Player of the Year.
Leading what ought to be a top-tier Miami pass rush unit is Bain. Miami has acquired Elijah Alston, a Marshall edge rusher, and has recovered Nyjalik Kelly and Akheem Mesidor from injuries that ended their 2024 season. Mauigoa, a middle linebacker, tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks.
According to the ESPN pass rusher rankings, Jack Sawyer of Louisville is ranked fourth, Trey Moore of Texas is ranked third, and James Pearce Jr. of Tennessee is ranked first. Among other ACC players, Antwaun Powell-Ryland is ranked 10th and North Carolina’s Kaimon Rucker is ranked sixth in the pass rusher rankings, behind Bain.
There will be high expectations for Bain going into the 2024 season. Bain ought to run for first-team All-Conference, All-American, and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. The latest Miami defensive lineman to be awarded an All-America was Jaelan Phillips in 2021.
This season, Bain and Mesidor will probably alternate between edge rusher and tackle. In 2023, Bain mostly played inside during passing downs. Bain might quadruple his sack total and boost his tackles for loss in 2024 if he plays with more consistency. Bain has the potential to rank among Miami’s all-time best pass rushers.