PFF grades DL Rueben Bain as the highest graded EDGE rusher from Week 8
Miami football moved to 5-2 on Saturday after a 28-20 victory. And with the help of defensive lineman Rueben Bain. He is the best true freshman on the line of scrimmage in the country.
And it really isn’t close.
Through the first seven games of the 2023 season, Bain has emerged as the best player on the Miami defense because of his ability to pressure quarterbacks and be solid against the run as well.
At 6-feet-3 and 275 pounds, Bain plays with a unique blend of power, pass rushing technique, awareness, and an elite motor. Bain has improved as the season has progressed with his best performance coming on Saturday night against Clemson.
The official stats credited Bain with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble. According to the advanced stats provided by Pro Football Focus, Bain also generated ten quarterback pressures in the game, along with two hits on quarterback Cade Klubnik.
How special is Bain’s season? Here are some numbers to put things in context:
- Bain has played 297 defensive snaps in seven games, which is the most by any true freshman defensive lineman in the country.
- Against ACC opponents, Bain is averaging 59 defensive snaps per game.
- Bain has generated 29 quarterback pressures on the season, which is the most by any true freshman defensive lineman in the country.
- Bain’s 29 pressures in 2023 have already bettered Akheem Mesidor’s 28 pressures in 2022, which led the team.
- Bain is one of nine defensive linemen to generate at least ten pressures in a single game, joining UCLA’s Laiatu Latu (twice), Tulsa’s Ben Kopenski, Alabama’s Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell, Cal’s Xavier Carlton, Toledo’s Darius Alexander, Utah’s Jonah Elliss, and James Madison’s Jalen Green (twice).
- Amongst Power Five pass rushers, Bain’s 29 pressures ranks tied for 13th best in the country. He ranks third in the ACC, trailing Kaimon Rucker of North Carolina and Ashton Gillotte of Louisville.
- Bain has earned an 89.4 defense grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranks sixth best amongst the country’s defensive linemen that have played at least 250 defensive snaps.
Miami’s defense came up big in a 28-20 win against Clemson and Bain was the best player on the field—especially in the fourth quarter and overtime.
“He is a game wrecker is what he is,” head coach Mario Cristobal said of Bain after the game. “They tried to chip him and slide the protections his way and double team him and what-not, but it is not only that he is gifted—he plays the game at a relentless level. It is really uncommon. Tonight, it showed against some veteran players. He was as disruptive as it got.”
Through seven games, Bain has totaled 19 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks along with two forced fumbles.
Bain was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week and ACC Rookie of the Week, earning the first weekly recognitions of his young career.
The Miami native started and posted a team-high eight tackles which included two sacks and a forced fumble in Miami’s come-from-behind win.
Trailing 17-7, the Hurricanes mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback and eventually sealed a 28-20 win in two overtime periods – UM’s first win over Clemson since 2010. Bain was a key member of a defensive front that finished with five sacks and held the Tigers to just 31 rushing yards.
Trinton is the owner of CanesToday. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, he is a freshman in high school and wants to graduate from the University of Miami
