In a season packed with standout defensive performances across college football, Rueben Bain Jr. rose above the rest-and now he has the hardware to prove it. The Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman has been named the 2025 recipient of the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive end. It’s a fitting honor for a player who not only dominated his position but helped lead Miami to a record-setting year.
What makes this moment even more special? Bain becomes the first Hurricane ever to win the award, which carries the name of one of the program’s all-time greats-Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks. That connection adds an extra layer of significance for both Bain and the Miami faithful.
Let’s talk about the numbers, because they tell the story of a player who didn’t just show up-he took over. Bain played in all 16 games this season, racking up 54 total tackles, 30 of them solo.
He was a menace in opposing backfields with 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. And he wasn’t just a pass-rusher-he showed off his versatility with an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two pass breakups.
This wasn’t just stat-padding; Bain’s production came in high-leverage moments and helped Miami notch a program-record 13 wins.
If there was any doubt about his impact, he erased it on the biggest stage of all. In the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Indiana, Bain delivered a monster performance: eight tackles, five solo, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. That kind of showing in a title game isn’t just impressive-it’s legacy-defining.
Bain’s full body of work at Miami is equally eye-opening. Over three seasons, he appeared in 38 games with 36 starts, totaling 121 tackles, 67 solo stops, 33.5 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks.
He also forced four fumbles, recovered two, broke up three passes, and added an interception for good measure. He was disruptive, consistent, and dependable-three words every coach loves to hear.
His trophy case has grown rapidly this postseason. Along with the Hendricks Award, Bain was named the 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned consensus First Team All-America honors. He was also a finalist for the Lott Impact Trophy, which honors defensive players who make a difference both on and off the field.
The award’s namesake, Ted Hendricks, left a massive legacy at Miami and beyond. A three-time All-American-the only one in program history-Hendricks was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 after a decorated NFL career that included four Super Bowl wins. His number remains the only one retired by the Hurricanes.
Now, Rueben Bain Jr. adds his name to that elite lineage. He didn’t just live up to the standard set by Hendricks-he carved out his own chapter in Miami history. And if this season is any indication, Bain’s football journey is only just getting started.