No haircut, no hobbies, no problem: Rueben Bain Jr. is all football at the Combine
Keep the name Rueben Bain Jr. on your radar. The Miami edge rusher is already gaining attention before workouts have even started at the NFL Combine.
If there were an award for “most locked in” at this year’s Combine, Rueben Bain Jr. might already have it wrapped up. The 6′3″, 275-pound Miami Hurricanes edge rusher went viral this week, not for a flashy outfit or bold prediction, but because he showed up without even bothering to get a haircut.
Meet the “monster”
Speaking at the NFL Combine this week, Bain explained that he “eats, sleeps, and breathes football”, noting that he has no other hobbies.
Rueben Bain Jr. is a certified football guy 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/7BLlBM8H2Y
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 25, 2026
For Bain, that means there are no distractions. He is 100% football focused.
“I’m a monster,” Bain said confidently when asked about his place in this draft class.
nfl combine week and my guy got no haircut, line or nothing…
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) February 25, 2026
14x all pro otw. draft him #1 overall. https://t.co/cOF35Cx0xw
The production backs up the bravado. In 2025, Bain totaled 9.5 sacks, 30 solo tackles, an interception, and a nation-leading 83 quarterback pressures. His relentless motor has become his calling card. He is the type who lives in the film room and treats every rep like it’s fourth-and-goal.
Rueben Bain is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive line 😤 @CanesFootball
— NFL (@NFL) February 25, 2026
2026 NFL Combine starts Thursday 3pm ET on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QH9Ah3fA06
Teams have taken notice. Bain has already met with the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Cincinnati Bengals, among others. While some evaluators have raised mild concerns about his arm length, franchises continue to rave about his nonstop energy and physical style of play.
Reuben Bain says arm length hasn’t been a talking point with teams, and that Titans QB Cam Ward has told him multiple times he wants him in Tennessee pic.twitter.com/Fk1hTsz1aN
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) February 25, 2026
His meeting with the Titans carried an extra layer of familiarity. Bain said he had a strong workout in Tennessee and even received encouragement from Titans quarterback Cam Ward, his former teammate at Miami in 2024.
As a projected top-five pick, Bain’s on-field workouts begin Thursday. If he tests the way many expect, showcasing both his burst and power, the “monster” label may live up to the hype and serve as a warning to future offensive tackles.
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