PFF ranks Rueben Bain has the 39th-best player in college football
Another best-of list, another placement for Miami defensive lineman, Rueben Bain. This time, the folks over at Power Football Focus (PFF), the same group that provides in-depth, analytical grades after every NFL and college football game, have parlayed their analytics-driven data into a simple list of the top 50 players in the NCAA. Bain was ranked as the No. 39 best player in college football.
Here is what they had to say about beastly Hurricane:
“Bain posted the second-best pass-rush grade in 2023 by any Power Five true freshman since PFF began charting college football in 2014. Three of the other players in the top five are currently among the three best players in the NFL at their respective positions, while the other is the best linebacker in college football.”
Bain, who was selected to the All-ACC Third Team, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the third Miami Hurricane in history to be honored with ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, following in the footsteps of Greg Rousseau in 2019 and Sean Spence in 2008.
In his inaugural season, Bain participated in every game and started the final 10, amassing 37 tackles – the highest number recorded by Miami defensive linemen. He also ranked second on the team in tackles for loss with 9.5 and was tied for the lead in sacks with 7.5.
During his first year of collegiate play, Bain received weekly accolades from the ACC on two occasions.
He was recognized as ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week and ACC Rookie of the Week following an impressive performance in a double overtime victory over Clemson on October 21, with an eight-tackle, two-sack effort.
Bain, hailing from Miami, once again earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following a standout performance against Virginia on October 28, with a game-high seven tackles and two sacks, including a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss.
Bain’s exceptional performance in his freshman year was among the most notable in the ACC, with only seven players achieving more than seven sacks in the season. He was the sole freshman to accomplish this feat, tying with teammate Francisco Mauigoa for sixth place in the ACC in sacks with 7.5.
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
