Defensive player Rueben Bain was awarded the Lombardi Award on Thursday, adding him to his growing list of preseason watchlists. Bain was previously named to the Bednarik Award watchlist and the Preseason All-ACC Team. The Lombardi Award is given annually to the best offensive or defensive player in college football.

Bain had a standout freshman season that culminated in him being named the 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Bain had 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3.0 forced fumbles and 1.0 passes defensed in 2023. Before being named to the Lombardi Award watch list, Bain was named to ESPN’s 2024 Top 100 Players on Thursday.

Bain is the only Miami defensive player on the ESPN Top 100, ranking 43rd on the list. Defensive tackle Warren Sapp is the only Miami player to receive the Lombardi Award in 1994. Sapp had 84 tackles, led Miami with 10.5 sacks, had 9.0 TFLs, 9.0 forced fumbles and 25 quarterback pressures in 1994.

Bain is one of 12 Miami players named to preseason watch lists or ACC Player of the Year (Cam Ward). Five Miami players earned multiple 2024 preseason honors. Bain, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa, kicker Andres Borregales, quarterback Cam Ward and wide receiver Xavier Restrepo were named preseason All-ACC.

As a full-time starter in 2024, Bain should compete for All-American honors. Bain, Akheem Mesidor, Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron give Miami one of the best edge rusher groups in the country. Alston, Baron and Mesidor on Miami’s roster will make it difficult for opponents to double-cover Bain in 2024.

Players considered for the Lombardi Award must be offensive or defensive lineman or linebacker. Surprisingly, Francisco Mauigoa was not named to the Lombardi Award preseason watch list. Miami has players on nearly every preseason watch list for 2024.