Buccaneers Coach Compares Rueben Bain Jr. to James Harrison

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers landed a massive draft steal by selecting former Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 15 overall.

Bain Jr. ranked No. 6 on the consensus big board, but some viewed him as the draft’s top overall prospect. He dominated college football last season and consistently overwhelmed opposing offenses with his explosiveness and power off the edge.

Some teams reportedly worried about Bain’s arm length, creating speculation he could slide down draft boards. Even so, seeing him available when Tampa Bay picked remained a major surprise.

The Buccaneers quickly turned in the selection card, adding much-needed toughness, speed, and physicality to their defense.

Bain Jr. is already turning heads inside the Buccaneers organization, and one Tampa Bay assistant offered a comparison carrying serious weight.

Speaking during Tuesday’s OTA media availability, Buccaneers run game coordinator and outside linebackers coach Larry Foote compared Bain to a legendary former Steelers defender:

“Off the film, if you had to bet — he’s going to be a star,” Foote stated about Bain. “He’s just — the way he plays the game, he’s explosive, plays with great leverage, and it’s hard to block those type of guys. Back in my Pittsburgh days, I played with a guy like that, James Harrison. It was just, you couldn’t block him. And [Bain] has that trait, he has that ability.”

Foote continued,

“I’m more impressed with his mindset, and I kinda got a little feel for that when we interviewed him at the Combine. But these last few weeks…he has that Lavonte David focus. That area down there in Miami, them guys it’s just Jesus 1A and football 1B. Them guys love ball, even when it’s break time he ain’t pulling his phone out like the rest of them. He’s all about ball, so I’m excited to have him.”

That comparison carries enormous weight. Harrison built a dominant NFL career with four All-Pro selections, five Pro Bowl appearances, and 84 sacks. He also captured the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008.
If Bain develops into anything close to that caliber of defender, Tampa Bay may have landed another franchise-changing pass rusher.