Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. has been named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the nation’s top defensive player.
Bain has anchored the Hurricanes’ defensive front through the first nine games of the 2025 season. The Miami native has totaled 31 tackles, including 15 solo stops, along with 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. He has also recorded one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception and one pass breakup.
Now in its 31st year, the Bednarik Award honors the defensive player who best demonstrates excellence on the field. Semifinalists were selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee, with support from Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele Publications. Semifinalist voting opens Nov. 17 and closes Nov. 24. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 27, followed by a final round of voting.
The winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. The formal presentation of the award will take place at the 89th Maxwell Awards Gala on March 14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Miami closes its regular-season home slate Saturday, Nov. 15, against NC State at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN and 104.3 FM WQAM.
Bain has anchored the Hurricanes’ defensive front through the first nine games of the 2025 season. The Miami native has totaled 31 tackles, including 15 solo stops, along with 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. He has also recorded one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception and one pass breakup.
Now in its 31st year, the Bednarik Award honors the defensive player who best demonstrates excellence on the field. Semifinalists were selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee, with support from Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele Publications. Semifinalist voting opens Nov. 17 and closes Nov. 24. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 27, followed by a final round of voting.
The winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. The formal presentation of the award will take place at the 89th Maxwell Awards Gala on March 14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Miami closes its regular-season home slate Saturday, Nov. 15, against NC State at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN and 104.3 FM WQAM.
