The No. 4 Miami Hurricanes are preparing for an in-state showdown with the Florida Gators this weekend in a nonconference clash between the ACC and SEC. Miami enters the matchup 3-0, while Florida has stumbled to 1-2 after dropping back-to-back games.
One of the biggest reasons Miami has surged into the top five nationally is its defense, anchored by star edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. The junior defender has been so dominant through the first three weeks that one ESPN analyst believes no one in the country is more impactful right now.
“Through 3 games, there isn’t a draft-eligible prospect in the country having a bigger down-to-down impact than Miami DL Rueben Bain Jr.,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid posted on X.
It’s high praise, but it’s also warranted. After a calf injury hampered him last season, Bain has come back healthy and destructive. He’s been the driving force for a Hurricanes defense that has fueled wins over No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 18 USF.
Rueben Bain Jr. Grades as Best Edge Rusher in the Country
Reid’s endorsement is backed up by the numbers. According to Pro Football Focus, Bain currently ranks as the top edge rusher in college football with a 94.2 overall grade and a 90.4 pass rush grade.
Bain set the tone in Miami’s season-opening upset of Notre Dame on August 31. He graded out at 92.6 overall in that game, tallying one sack, four total quarterback pressures, one hit, two hurries, a forced fumble, and a key fourth-quarter interception that set up a Miami scoring drive.
Through three games, Bain has compiled 12 total pressures, two sacks, one quarterback hit, nine hurries, two forced fumbles, and that interception. His production has him firmly in the conversation as the best defensive lineman in the country.
ESPN’s latest draft rankings, compiled by Reid, Matt Miller, and Steve Muench, listed Bain at No. 8 overall on September 11. Reid also placed him No. 2 among edge rushers, behind only Auburn standout Keldric Faulk.
Rueben Bain Jr. Helped Miami Improve Defense From Last Year
The Hurricanes started 9-0 in 2024 before losing two of their last three, ending at 10-3 and missing both the ACC Championship and College Football Playoff. That collapse wasted a record-breaking campaign from quarterback Cam Ward, who went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The culprit was the defense. While Miami’s offense was the most explosive in the country, the defense was horrible. The Hurricanes ranked 68th nationally in points allowed per game (25.3) and 57th against the pass (214.4 yards per game). A big reason was their inability to generate consistent pressure, especially after Bain went down with a calf injury in the opener against Florida.
This season tells a different story. With Bain back at full strength and new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman implementing an aggressive scheme, Miami looks like a complete team. The Hurricanes rank 28th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 13 points per game. They are averaging at least two sacks per game and sit fifth in the country in pass rush grade, according to PFF (89.0).
For Miami, the combination of a dominant pass rush and an opportunistic secondary has them eyeing a College Football Playoff berth. For Bain, his resurgence has him tracking as one of the top defenders in next year’s NFL Draft.
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