Pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (L) totaled 9.5 sacks last season for the Miami Hurricanes. File Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI . | License Photo
Former Miami Hurricanes pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. says NFL teams aren’t “too concerned” about his arm length, which is considered suboptimal for a prospect.
Bain made the comments during his news conference with reporters at the 2026 NFL scouting combine Wednesday at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The Hurricanes defensive end is considered a first-round prospect.
“None of the teams seem too concerned with it,” Bain said, when asked about his arm length. “As long as I just talk the talk, walk the walk and play with technique, nobody actually asks me about it.”
An NFL scout told The Athletic that Bain’s arms recently measured in at 30 3/4 inches. NFL scouts generally prefer prospects with an arm length of at least 33 inches.
Bain, who was listed at 6-foot-3, 270 pounds by the Hurricanes, was among the top pass rushers in college football last season, when he logged 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss. He said he isn’t worried about the criticism,
“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. “I just don’t give it the time of day, honestly.”
The 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year pointed to his mindset when asked about his best traits.
“I eat, sleep and breathe football,” Bain said. “That’s all I do. I have no other hobbies, no real interests outside of football. That’s all I care for. That’s all I want to do.”
Bain, who has been compared to NFL stars Dwight Freeney and Brandon Graham, credited Hurricanes defensive line coach Jason Taylor with playing a large role in his development.
He said the Hall of Fame pass rusher, whom he considers a “second father,” taught him not to put too much pressure on himself.
“Never get too high, never get too low,” Bain said, when asked about the best advice he got from Taylor. “Don’t pressure stuff. Just let stuff come to me. Everything will work out in my favor. As long as I put the right work in and the right preparation in, everything will work out.”
The defender, who also is being considered as a defensive tackle, met with several teams in Indianapolis, including the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and Washington Commanders.
“I feel like I’m versatile and I have a high motor.” Bain said. “I can do it at any position at any time with the best effort. And it’s on film. It’s not something I’m just saying.”
Bain will not participate in drills at the combine. He plans to showcase his skills for scouts at Miami’s pro day on March 24 in Coral Gables, Fla.
“Wherever I end up landing, it’s all hell on wheels, man,” Bain said.
Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk and Miami’s Ahkeem Mesidor are among the other top-rated pass rushing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Defensive linemen and linebackers from the class will participate in workouts Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (L) embraces the Super Bowl MVP, running back Kenneth Walker III, after the Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on February 8, 2026. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
