The Bucs wasted no time making sure that first round pick edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. was officially on the Bucs. Per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Bain signed his rookie contract on Thursday just a day ahead of Bucs rookie mini-camp. Bain is the first player in the Bucs’ 2026 draft class to sign his rookie deal. It’s a four-year contract with a fifth-year team option, as is custom for first round picks.
Bucs first round pick Rueben Bain Jr. has signed his rookie contract which is four years with a club option.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) May 7, 2026
Tampa Bay selected Bain 15th overall in this year’s draft. It was a shock that he fell that far, but a benefit for the Bucs as they were in huge need of an edge rusher. Bain was highly coveted as arguably the best edge rusher in this year’s draft class.
New Bucs OLB Bain Gets To Stay In Florida Going From Miami To Tampa
Born and raised in Miami before going on to star for the Miami Hurricanes, Bain is a 6-foot-2, 263-pound menace off the edge. He’s densely built and uses an immense amount of power at the point of attack, and he’s an outstanding run defender to boot. While he has a softer-spoken demeanor off the field, he brings a relentless attitude to the field and put together an impressive three-year collegiate career.
He was a Freshman All-American and the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 after playing in 13 games (starting 11) and posting 7.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He then dipped down to 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss over nine games as a sophomore before becoming a consensus All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2025. In his third and final year with the Hurricanes, Bain totaled 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception.
Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Mark J. Rebilas
Bain, who doesn’t turn 22 years old until just before the 2026 season opener, becomes the 13th draft pick out of the University of Miami in Buccaneer history. He’s the first since running back Mike James in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft and the first Hurricanes defender to be selected by Tampa Bay since linebacker Nate Webster in the third round of the 2000 Draft.
Bucs Revamped OLB Room With Rueben Bain Jr. And Company
With the [addition of a first-round pick](http://