After the Miami Hurricanes’ first three games, defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, who has coached college football for 20 seasons, had a strong statement to make about freshman defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr.
“I’ve never coached a freshman like him at the places I’ve been,” Guidry said. “I’ve had some older guys as good as him, but a freshman, to be that powerful, that mature, has got a lot of elite skill sets. He’s going to continue to get better, and I’m excited for him and his future.”
Two games later, Bain continues to justify the praise. He has been one of Miami’s top defensive players and has earned a larger role as the season progressed.
So far this year, Bain has eight tackles and 1.5 sacks. But his advanced metrics show an even better performance.
Pro Football Focus gives him credit for 14 total pressures and nine quarterback hurries. The site gives him an 82.9 pass-rushing grade and an 87.5 defensive grade. The defensive score is the best among Miami defenders. It is also the top score among all freshmen who have played at least 100 defensive snaps.
“I think it’s more of a surprise to the rest of the world because we kind of knew he was different,” defensive tackle Branson Deen said. “He really is. He proves it. He challenges himself. He challenges us. He’s a leader in our room as a freshman. We knew he was different. I think it’s more of a surprise to the rest of the world that didn’t know him. I bet you they know now.”
Bain has played more since starter Akheem Mesidor suffered an undisclosed injury against Texas A&M, and he has rewarded Miami coaches for that trust. He started the past three games and had a 92.7 defensive grade against Bethune-Cookman, a 90.4 grade against Temple and a 73.4 grade against Georgia Tech.
“I feel like I was comfortable the first game,” Bain said. “I always told people, ‘Football is football.’ So it’s never going to change for me. But definitely got a little more acclimated throughout the season. I’m playing more games now, getting more plays, more snaps and everything. I’m more comfortable after a little more experience.”
Bain was a sponge for knowledge when he arrived at UM at the beginning of this year. Absorbing the information during his first set of workouts and practices has allowed him to step up as a leader in his first year.
“When I first got here, I had a great group that led me,” Bain said. “So now I’m just been preaching the things they preached to me when I first got here. And now I feel like it’s just second knowledge in me. It’s like the back of my hand. I know it because I was seeing it when I first got here.”
Now, offensive lineman Jalen Rivers said, the team does not really look at him like a typical freshman.
“Since he’s getting game experience now, he’s just getting different looks, he’s just getting better each week,” Rivers said. “He’s going up against us and he’s getting us better. We’re getting him better. It’s an iron-sharpens-iron mentality. So he’s a great addition to our defense. I’m glad to go against him every day, and he’s just a freshman. So it’s good to see how he’s doing right and what he can be the next couple of years. … It surprised us how good he was and actually how talented he is, and he’s getting better each week, like I said. It crosses my mind a couple times, but he doesn’t play like a freshman, so I never treat him or look at him as a freshman.”
Saturday’s game against North Carolina will be Bain’s first road Atlantic Coast Conference game in what will likely be a packed Kenan Memorial Stadium. The freshman is looking forward to the trip.
“Looking forward to it,” Bain said. “Just ready for the atmosphere, ready to make plays, ready to take the field with my brothers again. It’s another week, another opportunity. I’m just looking forward to it, dominate, going against a good team. I’m just ready.”