The energy in the Bucs war room was obvious when Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. was on the clock.
That carried over to when general manager Jason Licht proudly entered the press conference room and kept his opening statement short and sweet.
“We got our guy!” Licht exclaimed.
Drafting Bain 15th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft has already drawn rave reviews, and it is easy to see why. Considered a top 10 player throughout the draft process, the talented pass rusher was expected to be long gone by the time Tampa Bay was on the clock. Based on how the board played out, him falling into the team’s hands is a welcome turn of events.
Licht and Bain addressed the media after the pick was made on Thursday night.
What Do The Bucs Like About Rueben Bain Jr.?
From the moment Rueben Bain Jr. stepped foot on Miami’s campus in 2023, he was a relentless difference-maker.
Bain spent three seasons with the Hurricanes, beginning with a freshman year where he recorded 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 13 games. The following season he would be limited to nine games which led to a dip in production, but he got back to being highly productive in 2025 paired with fellow first-round pick Akheem Mesidor.
Bucs edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo courtesy of: The University of Miami – Mikayla Oliveira
It was a long 2025 season for Miami as they made it to the College Football Playoff National Championship against Indiana. Playing 16 games, Bain’s numbers across the board were career-highs, as he notched 54 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. At just 21 years old with a track record of production, the Bucs being enamored by his polish and potential is not surprising. As he fell down the board with other teams taking offensive tackles and even a second quarterback going before No. 15, Bain was Tampa Bay’s guy – no matter what.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Licht said on Bain being too good to pass up. “Now, time will tell. We think very highly of him, obviously, we think he’s a great player. There were very few scenarios where we thought he’d be there, but there [were] scenarios, and we’re very excited. [I] probably have never seen a more excited draft room.”
Bain had an interesting draft cycle, to say the least. Despite Bain’s production and top 10 tape, the pre-draft conversation took a predictable turn. Measurables – not motor – became the focal point, and for some teams, they were enough to create hesitation.
Much of the discussion revolved around his arm length, as they measured at 30 7/8-inchs. That mark ranks first percentile among edge defenders and defensive linemen since at least 2010 and is tied for the third-shortest recorded by an edge rusher since 1999. Licht does not see that as a deterrent to Bain making an impact, though.
“Like Mike Tyson … he wasn’t the tallest guy,” Bain said. “He wasn’t the longest-limbed guy. But when you felt him, you felt him. You kept your distance.”
Rather, Licht likes how his game will pair opposite Yaya Diaby as he will immediately provide juice at the outside linebacker position.
“I love that he’s very unique where he’s got a great blend of power and athleticism,” Licht said. “He can bend, he’s got get-off, he’s very powerful, he’s got very explosive not just athleticism, but powerful hands, powerful strength and he plays very edgy. He plays with a chip on his shoulder.”
Bucs HC Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Discussion surrounding him took a more serious turn when it was reported by The Read Optional’s Ollie Connolly that Bain was the driver in a 2024 crash that resulted in one of the passengers passing away from injuries that were sustained. Connolly went on to report that the careless driving charge was dismissed by a court, while no finding of criminal liability was made in connection with the incident.
Based on those findings, the Bucs were comfortable enough with Bain’s character to select him, viewing what transpired as a tragic accident that should not define him.
“We’ve been doing work – we’ll start the process for next year’s draft next week — so our scouts, shoutout Cesar Rivera, he’s been on it for a long time,” Licht said. “We’ve known about this for a long time. I know it just came out a couple weeks ago. It was a very tragic accident, tragic experience for the family and it’s something you never want to see happen. He’s a good person. He was involved in something that none of us ever want to be involved in and never want any of our loved ones to be involved in. He loves football, he loves football.”
Rueben Bain Jr.: Getting Drafted By Bucs Is “The Cherry On Top”
Rueben Bain’s love for football is evident.
After being drafted by the Bucs in the first round, Bain joined a brief Zoom call reacting to the news that he is on his way to Tampa Bay.
“It’s such a relief, man, knowing that I was fortunate enough to get my name called tonight, no matter where it was,” Bain said. “Having my name called has been a dream for the last 17 years… Hearing it come true, it’s a great feeling. The cherry on top is staying in Florida, man. I have family members that stay in Tampa. I have cousins that [have] played for the Bucs, so this is going to be a familiar atmosphere for me. I’m just excited and stoked to get there.”
It is worth noting that his cousin is none other than Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III, who was a productive player and a starting cornerback on the 2020 Bucs Super Bowl-winning team. For Bain, he has had to handle a lot of things thrown his way leading up to the draft. While an exciting time for many players, it was more up-and-down for him dealing with questions about his size and character.
Bucs edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo courtesy of: The University of Miami -Jared Lennon
“You know, everything has its ups and downs, but I just try to make everything [as] simple as it could possibly be,” Bain said. “I try to prioritize whatever I can prioritize in the moment. Right now, that’s just football and making sure I’m just really making that a main priority for me. My days are kind of fairly simple – just working out, going home, getting on the phone and pretty much doing the same thing and doing the rinse and repeat kind of cycle.”
That sounds like a Bucs kind of player, one who lives up to the “I Am That Man” standard that Lavonte David set for incoming draft picks. When it comes to how he fits, there is no question Bain will be an energy boost to a defense that needs a jolt. In head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, his aggression and get-off should translate right away.
“My motor,” Bain said about what his best trait is. “I feel like my motor and my mindset is contagious because when people see me, how I play and how I care about the game of football, it kind of spreads off on other people. I actually have proof of that, and that’s not me just talking. That’s from high school all the way up into college.”
For those wondering about what they should take away from Rueben Bain Jr. being the Bucs first-round pick, let him tell you.
“I love football,” Bain said. “I love my teammates. I love my teammates. Whoever is not my teammate, I hate ’em. This is what I love to do. I’m a Buc, so I love to be a Buc.”
The Bucs did not just get their guy in Rueben Bain Jr.
They may have landed one of the biggest steals in the 2026 NFL Draft – and a pass rusher capable of reshaping their defense.