Courtesy of Miami Athletics:
University of Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.
Bain became Miami’s second pick of Thursday’s first round and the 68th first-round pick in program history; Francis Mauigoa was selected No. 10 overall by the New York Giants earlier in the evening.
It marked the first time Miami had two players selected in the first round since 2021.
Bain put together a dominant final season at Miami in 2025, earning consensus NCAA All-America recognition and becoming the first player in program history to ever capture the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top pass-rusher.
The 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Bain started all 16 games a season ago, recording 54 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks while helping guide the Hurricanes to their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff. Bain also recorded one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups, helping Miami win a program-record 13 games.
His strongest performance came on the sport’s biggest stage, as the Miami native posted a season-high eight tackles, five solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack in the CFP National Championship Game.
Over his three-year college career, Bain played in 38 games with 36 starts, totaling 121 tackles, 67 solo tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. He added four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and three pass breakups during his collegiate career.
A 2025 All-ACC first-team selection, Bain was also a finalist for the Lott Impact Trophy following the 2025 season, capping a career that began with 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The NFL Draft continues through Saturday in Pittsburgh.
University of Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.
Bain became Miami’s second pick of Thursday’s first round and the 68th first-round pick in program history; Francis Mauigoa was selected No. 10 overall by the New York Giants earlier in the evening.
It marked the first time Miami had two players selected in the first round since 2021.
Bain put together a dominant final season at Miami in 2025, earning consensus NCAA All-America recognition and becoming the first player in program history to ever capture the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top pass-rusher.
The 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Bain started all 16 games a season ago, recording 54 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks while helping guide the Hurricanes to their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff. Bain also recorded one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups, helping Miami win a program-record 13 games.
His strongest performance came on the sport’s biggest stage, as the Miami native posted a season-high eight tackles, five solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack in the CFP National Championship Game.
Over his three-year college career, Bain played in 38 games with 36 starts, totaling 121 tackles, 67 solo tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. He added four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and three pass breakups during his collegiate career.
A 2025 All-ACC first-team selection, Bain was also a finalist for the Lott Impact Trophy following the 2025 season, capping a career that began with 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The NFL Draft continues through Saturday in Pittsburgh.
