Rueben Bain huge addition to class: All-everything DL has signed with Miami Hurricanes and says “I can see the vision”

SIGNEES (with link to feature story on each): Francis Mauigoa … Damari Brown … Christopher Johnson … Antione Jackson … Collins Acheampong … Kaleb Spencer … Riley Williams … Samson Okunlola … Robby Washington … Bobby Washington … Rueben Bain … Mark Fletcher … Malik Bryant … Jackson Carver … Emory Williams … Antonio Tripp … Marcellius Pulliam … Jayden Wayne … Frankie Tinilau … Joshua Horton … Raul Aguirre … Robert Stafford … Tommy Kinsler … Ray Ray Joseph … Australian P Dylan Joyce

CANESPORT TV REWIND: Tune in to the CaneSport.com Recruiting Special

It was all the way back in October of 2020 that Miami Central High School DE Rueben Bain picked up an offer from the prior Hurricanes staff. Even at that early point he had a double-digit offer list. That list grew to include almost every major program in the nation, adding up to more than the 29.5 sacks he had as a junior and the 29 he got this past season.

Bain’s recruitment was never a sure thing for Miami until he committed Dec. 13 … and it certainly helped that his former Central High head coach, Roland Smith, took a job with the Canes. Or that his brother, Reginald, is a UM GA. Or that his uncle, Tolbert, played for Miami from 1984-87.

“I feel great,” Bain said after announcing. “I feel like I have a huge weight off my chest. Something I’m looking forward to for years to come. Just willing to change the program around and bring a natty back to Miami.” 

In the end, even looking back a year ago, perhaps today’s signing was inevitable.

And yes, Bain is now confirmed a Miami Hurricanes signee.

“Miami is just home,” Bain said. “Being so close to my family, everyone can come see me practice, play every home game.”

Mario Cristobal made no secret of how big a priority Bain was for the Canes 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, he 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.

But home is home.

“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.”

We also spoke with Bain’s high school coach, Jube Joseph, for his take on what Miami’s landed.

“They think he can come in and be a key cog,” Joseph said. “His winning personality, that’s the culture they want to bring. They want winners. They got Wesley (Bissainthe) from us and he has that innate ability, knowing what it takes to win, be a champion and they want that type of culture.

“Watching his development his best skill is his leadership. Rueben is a silent giant who let his play speak for itself, but now he speaks to his teammates, is a leader. He doesn’t know what losing feels like so if something isn’t right, he speaks up on it. And he’s a hard worker, sacrifices and fights through adverse situations.”

At 6-3 and 240 pounds, Joseph thinks Bain will quickly get up to 260 pounds and “will get an inch or so taller.” Joseph used Bain at end and even moved him inside in different situations, and while he’ll be an edge rusher at Miami the coach can see him being utilized in different ways.

“Miami, they compare him to (Akheem) Mesidor,” Joseph said. “They love his approach to the game, and he’s got that get-off off the ball.”

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.”