Rueben Bain commits to Hurricanes in huge recruiting win: "Miami is just home"
Evaluating New Miami commit Rueben Bain and projecting into the future … Rueben Bain’s coach shares inside look at what Miami’s landed with his commitment, including a comparison he’s heard from UM coaches … Inside Rueben Bain’s commitment to Miami and how it finally happened
The Rueben Bain saga is over. The 4-star Miami Central defensive lineman’s recruitment seemed to stretch on and on. But now he’s announced his decision.
It was your classic Miami vs. Florida State battle, with the talented lineman coming off an FSU official visit and set for his Hurricanes official visit this weekend.
And it was Miami that won out.
“Miami is just home,” Bain said. “Being so close to my family, everyone can come see me practice, play every home game.”
Canes coach Mario Cristobal made no secret of how big a priority Bain was for the program to keep home – it was his first high school stop after he took the job at Miami last December. In the coach’s first conversation with Bain, the DE recounts that ““Coach Cristobal told me I’m a top recruit for them, that I’m an important guy for them.”
He adds that Cristobal personally recruited him along with DE coach Rod Wright and that Cristobal would send him messages “at 6 am or 11 pm … he’s an up-all-night kind of guy.”
As for Wright?
“He’s a guy that really knows the game of football,” Bain said. “Being around him all the times I’ve been at Miami (Bain estimates he’s visited over a dozen times), he speaks the game really well. He explains it, shows it. He’s a very good coach. Also a very good recruiter, he tries to reach out every morning to let me know to attack the day, give it my all.”
Programs like Alabama, Florida State and Auburn made plays for him, and in the end it was really a UM-FSU battle.
“Anytime I go to Miami, they treat me like I’m a player (already on the team) – it’s like it’s home,” Bain said. “They’re going to be one of the top programs in Florida and in the nation.”
Bain’s On3 scouting report reads “Energizer bunny along the defensive line who plays with his hair on fire every snap which helped lead Miami Central (FL) to a state championship as a junior. Totaled 53 tackles, a ridiculous 31 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks during his junior season. One of, if not the highest of motors of any defensive lineman in the 2023 cycle. Works to make plays at all levels of the field. Lives in the backfield due to his get off and burst. Plays with natural leverage due to height. Possesses excellent length in order to keep chest clean at point of attack. Stacks and sheds with ease regardless of mass. Needs to fill out throughout his frame in order to thrive at the next level. Has the twitch, change of direction and motor in order to excel in college. Ran an electronically-timed sub-4.50 shuttle and jumped a 25-inch vertical at 250 pounds during the spring of his sophomore year heading into his junior campaign. Will continue to develop physically and get stronger in order to shine and become an NFL draft selection.”
Bain says he sees a bright future at Miami for himself and the team.
“I can see the vision,” he said. “I can see the next level that Miami is trying to get to.”
CaneSport’s take
This is a huge pickup for Miami, and Bain will now also have his former coach Roland Smith and older brother Reggie alongside him – both work in the Canes’ back offices. We would not rule out Bain having an immediate impact, given his tremendous pass rushing ability. He has over 50 sacks the last two seasons using a combination of speed and power.
