Exclusive interview: Rueben 'Hurricane' Bain

Miami Central superstar sits down with SBLive Florida and talks about his strengths, areas of improvement and the schools he has named as finalists in his college recruiting

MIAMI, FLORIDA – The Miami Central football team was back at practice Monday evening after a convincing 42-7 win over rival Miami Northwestern. The Rockets are a perfect 6-0 and ranked 3rd in the nation in the SBLive Sports/Sports Illustrated Power 25 poll.

The Rockets dominating start to the 2022 season began with a 20-14 victory over then No. 1 IMG Academy and has continued ever since. Miami Central’s defense has given up 14, 19, 0, 7, 0 and 7 points through six games, thanks in large part to one of the top defensive stars in the nation, 2023 Rueben “Hurricane” Bain.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end is a wrecking ball upfront for Miami Central. Last year, Bain has registered 60 tackles, including a ridiculous 48.5 tackles for loss and 29.5 sacks as a junior for the Class 5A state champions. His stops behind the line of scrimmage led the nation. Bain has 20 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks over four games this season, despite missing two starts with a minor injury after the IMG game.

This week, Bain sat down with SBLive Sports and discussed a wide range of topics.

“Growing up I played at Northside, then I switched over to Gwen Cherry when my coaches changed,” said Bain of his early football career. “Then I finished my career with the Miami Gardens Ravens.”

Miami Central superstar Rueben Bain sat down with SBLive Sports Florida for an exclusive interview on Monday / Photo by Michael Costeines

Bain’s dominance at the youth level has carried over to high school in a big way. He helped the Rockets give up only 13.1 points per game a season ago and just 7.8 points per game this season. And while his individual stats speak for themselves, he is a student of the game.

“I’d say intelligent; I’m heavy on film,” said Bain on his strengths. “I can call out a play before it happens. But also my speed and strength, I try to have a mixture of both. I keep the offensive linemen on their toes.”

Bain has the Rockets set up for their fourth consecutive state title. The Rockets also four-peated from 2012-2015 and have won eight state championships overall. With Bain as its leader, number nine might be a foregone conclusion. The scary thing is that Bain’s performance is just beginning to uptick.

“My power moves, and just some more crisp technique,” said Bain on improvement areas. “I’ve seen when I’m getting out of my stance I’d be a little high. I’d like to lower my pad level, but also just use my power moves a little more and try to use my strength to my advantage.”

From 2010 to present, the Rockets have gone 136-23. Keep in mind they routinely play a national schedule and some of the best teams in the state of Florida. Miami Central head coach Jube Joseph and his staff have done a good job replacing Roland Smith.

Smith was the program’s head coach since 2013 before joining the University of Miami as director of high school relations this season. He was also a Cane himself from 1987-1990; winning two national championships. Bain has certainly benefited from some of the best football minds in the sport.

“My D-line coach Jamal Sheffield at Miami Central,” said Bain. “He has really molded me into the player I am today.”

Bain is listed as a 4-star prospect and 130th overall prospect in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports. Moreover, he is situated as the 27th best player in the state. Bain holds offers from 26 different Division-1 programs, but a handful have emerged as contenders.

“I would say Auburn, Miami, Oklahoma, Alabama, Louisville and Florida State,” said Bain. “Those are the ones that really been pushing the hardest.”

Could Mario Cristobal keep Bain in his backyard? Along with Smith, Miami Central has links to the Hurricanes. Freshman linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, red-shirt freshman offensive lineman Laurence Seymore, and sixth-year red-shirt senior Waymon Steed Jr. are all with the Canes. His brother, Reggie Bain, is a graduate assistant at the school. His uncle, Tolbert Bain, won a national title with the Hurricanes in 1987.

While having a family legacy, Bain has built his own mark at Miami Central. He will go down as one of the school’s greatest players in the midst of another dominating dynasty.

Courtesy of Hayes Fawcett, On3