The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started their 2026 NFL Draft class with a bang, selecting Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami.
He had an initial press conference last night via zoom, but today was his first day in the building and his true introductory press conference.
It was also Todd Bowles’ first chance to speak to the media about the team’s new addition, and Bowles is thrilled about adding Bain to the roster.
“There’s a bunch of edge rushers in this draft. Not many can play like he plays and play with the attitude he plays with and the heavy hands he plays with and fits the scheme that we play with,” said Bowles.
When asked about the qualities that put Bain on the Bucs’ radar as one of their top targets, Bowles praised Bain’s physicality, mentality, and versatility.
“It’s his physical style of play from a mental standpoint and a physical standpoint,” said Bowles. “He can do it all, and he shows that up and down the line of scrimmage. But he plays with a mentality and a no-losing mentality at all times, and he fights and he plays with the right kind of attitude and the mentality that we’re trying to bring to this team.”
Bowles’ life as the defensive play caller just got a lot easier adding a player of Bain’s caliber. If Bain makes the impact the Bucs expect, they’ll finally have a premier pass rusher that can affect opposing quarterbacks.
Bain recorded 20.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss during his college career. He led all of college football in pressures last season. It’s no wonder why the usually stoic Bowles is physically unable to hide his excitement about adding Bain to his defense.