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Heather Dinich makes case for Rueben Bain as Heisman Trophy favorite

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs10/13/25grant_grubbs_
Sep 6, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) reacts after a sack against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) reacts after a sack against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Charles Woodson and Travis Hunter are the only two defensive players to ever win the Heisman Trophy, and neither of them solely played defense. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, ESPN’s Heather Dinich explained why Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. is her pick to win the Heisman Trophy this season.

“I am a Heisman voter, and I will vote for the best player in the country, offense or defense, and he is a disruptive force,” Dinich said of Bain. “It is not necessarily in his stats, but he gets his hand on the ball, forced fumble, interception. I mean, he can do it all. He draws other players to him, and he’s playing on what could be the selection committee’s No. 1 team and one of the best defenses in the country.”

Through five games this season, Bain has 26 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. As Dinich noted, his statistics don’t encapsulate how impressive his performances have been.

The junior standout forces opposing offenses to adjust to his presence, and it has shown. Miami’s defense is only allowing 276.4 yards of offense per game this season, ranking No. 16 in the country.

Dinich isn’t the only one taking notice of Bain this season. On Sunday, ESPN released some updated thoughts on the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper showered Rueben Bain Jr. with praise.

“I just love the way he plays the game,” Kiper wrote. “He is constantly hustling and never takes plays off. Bain is powerful, bends well, shows speed off the edge and knows how to use his hands to get leverage. He can generate pressure inside and outside; I really like his inside moves, and he displays a reliable rip move to beat blockers.

“Taking the right angle to the QB is a very underrated trait for an edge rusher, and Bain does that as well as anyone. And it’s not just the pass rush. Bain can shed blockers and make run stops. He’s really disruptive, and if he stays healthy this season, he has top-10 upside.”

With no ranked teams remaining on Miami’s schedule, Bain has an opportunity to beef up his statistics in the back half of the season. On Friday, the Hurricanes will square off against Louisville at 7 p.m. ET.

Louisville has allowed 13 sacks this season, and Bain will be looking to add to the number. The game between Miami and the Cardinals will air live on ESPN.