Miami DE Rueben Bain named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year

Susan Miller Degnan
·2 min read

Here’s some uplifting University of Miami news among the postseason chaos of the transfer portal and expected NFL Draft departures.

University of Miami freshman defensive end Rueben Bain was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year late Wednesday afternoon.

Bain, a former Miami Central star, became the third Hurricane in history to win ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honor and the first since defensive end Greg Rousseau in 2019.

Linebacker Sean Spence also won the award in 2008.

“Thank you, only up from here!” Bain posted on social media, accompanied by an emoji of praying hands.

Bain played in all 12 games this season, starting the final 10. He finished with 37 tackles —the most among UM defensive linemen. He tied linebacker Francisco Mauigoa with a team-leading 7 1/2 sacks, and finished second with 9 1/2 tackles for loss.

“The best part is he’s just getting started,’’ the Hurricanes posted on social media after the announcement.

Bain was one of only seven ACC players, and the only freshman, to tally more than seven sacks this season.

On Tuesday he was selected to the All-ACC third team.

At Miami Central, Bain won four state championships in four years and had 58 1/2 sacks his final two years, earning MaxPreps Florida Player of the Year in December. He grew up in Miami Gardens and his father, Rueben “Hurricane” Bain Sr., was a star offensive lineman for Carol City High and then Division II Morris Brown College in Atlanta. His older brother Reggie was an FAU starting offensive lineman and is currently a UM graduate assistant.

Also Wednesday, Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis was named the ACC Football Player of the Year and NC State linebacker Payton Wilson earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year. NC State wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion was named ACC Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year.