Linebackers and 2026 NFL draft prospects Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. of University of Miami visited the Cincinnati Bengals on April 10, according to NFL Network, along with fellow Miami Hurricanes edge Akheem Mesidor.
Nicknamed "Hurricane," Bain is expected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming draft, and could be gone when the Bengals are scheduled to select at 10th overall.
Todd McShay has said he expects the Bengals to strongly consider Bain with the 10th pick. Yahoo! Sports' Nate Tice has the Bengals taking Bain at No. 10.
"The Bengals go with the antithesis of their first-round selection from a year ago, trading the high-end tools and low-end production of Shemar Stewart with the top-end production and effort but lack of ideal length of Bain," Tice wrote. "If Stewart taps into even a small portion of his talent and with Boye Mafe joining in free agency, the Bengals’ edge spots could be more impactful in a hurry and feel a lot different soon."
As a junior in 2025, Bain was named second-team Associated Press All-American, ACC defensive player of the year and first-team All-ACC.
Bain started all 16 games in his final season at Miami, recording 54 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss with 9.5 sacks, an interception, a pass breakup and a forced fumble).
Bain earned the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to college football's top defensive end. He was a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given to the nation's top defender with Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity.
As a sophomore in 2024, Bain was named honorable mention all-ACC. He started nine games, and missed four games because of an injury.
A freshman All-American, Bain was named third-team all-ACC and ACC defensive rookie of the year in his first season with the 'Canes. He led the team that season with three forced fumbles, and tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks.
"Note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength," Zierlein wrote in Bain's NFL.com draft profile. "Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. … Bain's explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter."
Daniel Jeremiah compares Bain to former NFL linebacker Melvin Ingram.
his motor never stops 💨@ruebenbainjr | @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/3OYiz1uCOB
Interestingly, Bain visited Kansas City one day before his reported Cincinnati visit.
Bain has dismissed post-combine discussion of his arm length. At 30 7/8 inches, Bain's arms are among the shortest in the class.
"I didn't hear it until later in the year, but it kind of surprised me because I never heard it all my life," Bain said at the combine. "I don't give it the time of day, honestly."
"Mike Tyson, he wasn't the tallest guy, wasn't the longest-limbed guy, but when you felt him, you felt him," Bain told NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. "You kept your distance."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Rueben Bain Jr ? Miami Hurricanes draft prospect visits Bengals