Rueben Bain Jr. is a disruptive and highly productive edge defender who enters 2025 with first-round aspirations despite an injury-impacted sophomore season. A former ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Bain combines powerful hands, a low center of gravity, and advanced pass-rush technique with elite motor and versatility. He has logged 73 pressures and 11 sacks in two years, routinely winning with inside counters, bend, and leverage from multiple alignments. Though he missed four games with a calf injury in 2024, Bain’s tape still shows one of the most polished and scheme-diverse EDGE defenders in the class. He fits best in an attacking 4-3 front as a hand-in-the-dirt edge or a reduced 5-tech, but can also slide inside on passing downs. If healthy, he should challenge for top-40 status in the 2026 NFL Draft and contribute early as a pass-rush specialist with every-down potential.