Rueben Bain Jr.
Getty
University of Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr.
The Baltimore Ravens had a plan to try and pair elite edge rushers Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson in 2026 — a hard-to-believe plan that went out the window when they backed out of a trade for Crosby.
That doesn’t mean the Ravens won’t have a pair of elite edge rushers in 2026 after signing Hendrickson to a 4-year, $112 million free agent contract.
USA Today’s post-free agency mock draft released Monday predicts the Ravens will take perhaps the elite pass rusher in this year’s draft class with Miami All-American Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 14 overall.
Could the Ravens be that lucky? Bain’s arm length seems to have been the determining factor in how he’s dropped out of the Top 10.
From USA Today: “GM Eric DeCosta claimed he’d hoped to acquire Crosby and sign pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. Picking Bain, who most certainly plays like a Raven − short arms and all − would allow for an alternate fulfillment of that plan. Bain’s T-rex limbs didn’t stop him from being extremely productive – often against NFL-caliber offensive tackles – for the ‘Canes. He bulled his way to 9½ sacks and 15½ TFLs last season and was a menace during the College Football Playoff.”
Rueben Bain: Unique College Football Superstar
There haven’t been many defensive line prospects in recent years like University of Miami All-American Rueben Bain Jr., who is a player who could change the fortunes of an NFL defense for the next decade.
The entire nation has finally got a chance to witness Bain’s greatness as he led the Hurricanes on an improbable run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where they lost to the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers.
When the NFL draft rolls around in April, Bain’s name seemed like it would almost certainly be one of the first called after just 3 years in college and Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski identified Bain as one of just a handful of prospects who could “redefine an NFL defense.”
“Bain’s game is predicated on violence,” Sobleski wrote. “He displays excellent first-step quickness, as is necessary for any elite edge prospect. At the same time, his ability to jolt, displace and even play through offensive linemen is impressive. He can convert speed-to-power better than any prospect in the class … From an evaluation standpoint, the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year is listed at 6’3″ and 275 pounds, with concerns over arm length. Yet, he has consistently showed the ability to beat blockers and disrupt plays. His power, explosiveness and tenacity all translate well to the professional game.”
Miami’s Fortunes Turned With Bain on Roster
While draft evaluations are usually heavy on minutiae when it comes to technique and athletic prowess, one thing they seem to lack is much of an emphasis on being a winner.
When it comes to that, Bain may have the market cornered in terms of 2026 NFL draft prospects.
In 4 seasons at Miami Central High School, Bain was nothing less than the best football player in the best state for high school football.
At Miami Central, Bain led his team to 4 consecutive state championships and finished his career with 77.0 sacks, including 48.5 sacks and 60 TFL over his final 2 seasons.
With the Hurricanes, Bain has done nothing less than breathe new life into a once proud program. In 3 seasons at Miami, Bain is a 2-time All-ACC pick and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American in 2025.