NFL

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.

JUSTIN CASTERLINE
Sports Journalist, AS USA
Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.
Update:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Related stories

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.

Tagged in:

We recommend these for you in NFL

Most viewed

More news