The more time passes, the more it seems like everyone and their grandmother expects Arvell Reese to end up in green and white.

Reese is the consensus favorite to be selected second overall by the New York Jets. However, Reese is not the only EDGE prospect in the 2026 class with enough talent to warrant consideration at that slot.

The Jets would be remiss not to consider the man who racked up 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks for the national championship-bound Miami Hurricanes: Rueben Bain.

The talented junior, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, was a dominant defensive end from the moment he set foot in Coral Gables. Bain racked up 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman. His production dipped in his sophomore year, but Bain bounced back in a major way as a junior.

Bain and Reese are two very different prospects. Bain is a larger defensive end who played on the edge for three seasons in college. Reese is a smaller, faster defender who played off-ball linebacker in college, but is projected to transition to the edge in the NFL.

Many view Bain as the higher-floor, lower-ceiling option, while Reese is viewed as the lower-floor, higher-ceiling choice.

Is that really the case?

We’re here to answer that question and many more through a deep dive into Bain’s All-22 film.

After reviewing Reese’s film, it’s time to break down one of his closest rivals in the 2026 draft class.

On the latest episode of Blewett’s Blitz, we break down Bain’s 2025 performances against Virginia Tech, Pitt, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Indiana.

Below is the full Rueben Bain scouting report (strengths and weaknesses) and film review.

Strengths:

  • Size
  • Reps of him stacking moves well
  • Double swipes, rips and bull move (bull needs work)
  • Power
  • Power through bend
  • Change-of-direction for his size
  • Solid explosion for size
  • Flexibility
  • Ankle flexion
  • Lands hands inside in run game (at times)
  • Core strength
  • Plays with good leverage
  • Can diagnose run quickly
  • Power in hands
  • Power in base
  • Solid first step for size
  • Bend
  • Holds ground vs combos
  • Block shedding
  • Serious knock back power
  • Can absorb combos

Weaknesses:

  • Timing with hands during rush
  • Can lack counters
  • Can be undisciplined in run game
  • Can be over aggressive
  • Length
  • Tackling in space
  • Can be a tick late to shed in run game
  • Hands can be inaccurate during rush
  • Pass rush plan consistency
  • Has to work pass rush angles with more consistency
  • Has to be more consistently linear in bull rush