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Early returns from training camp suggest that the Bucs may have found something special in rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.

The first-round pick has wasted little time making his presence felt, turning heads with an impressive start to camp that has showcased both his physical tools and relentless motor. Whether it’s getting into the backfield during team drills or flashing explosiveness off the edge, Bain has looked every bit the disruptive force the Bucs envisioned when they drafted him.

What is also standing out is just how Bain has been able to grasp everything so quickly. The outside linebacker position demands more from players in Todd Bowles’ defense as they are required to drop back in coverage occasionally while also needing to understand certain blitz packages, twists and stunts as well as setting the edge in the run game.

Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Todd Bowles Praises Rueben Bain Jr. For Quickly Learning The Scheme

Downloading all that information could slow a player down, especially a rookie, but not Rueben Bain Jr. He’s thrived with every rep he’s been given in training camp.

“He has a very good understanding of the system,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said. “And he plays fast, and he’s working well with the guys. So, for a rookie coming in, knowing what he knows right now, I’m very pleased with it.

“He’s a very smart player. His intelligence really shows when you see him – probably more than the toughness and the sack ability, and that’s saying a lot because he’s outstanding at that. But, picking up the system and just understanding things that a lot of rookies don’t understand coming in, he’s been great at that.”

Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

For any player, there could be a drop-off going from college to the NFL level. Players are bigger, faster and stronger at the next level, so it’s reasonable that it could take a little more time for player to put it together. Bain is on a different level, though, and his teammates are recognizing that he is living up to all the hype.

“He’s the guy we saw in college and on college film,” defensive tackle Calijah Kancey said. “Who we drafted, that’s what we see now.”

Bucs And Rueben Bain Jr. Have Been Generating Lots Of Pressure

Rueben Bain Jr. expects a lot from himself every time he takes the field. That approach has helped him find his footing coming to a new team. As a first-round pick, he knows expectations are high, but if he sticks to what he knows, he’ll be fine.

“One, just being me. Two, earning the trust of my teammates, my coaches,” Bain said of what his mindset is each day. “[So they] know that even though I’m a young guy, they can still put me out there and expect me to play like my peers, if not better – [so,] I’m coming with that mindset to either elevate the defense or play to the standard that is on the defense.”

Bucs OLBs Rueben Bain Jr. and David Walker – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The last two Bucs training camp practices have seen the defensive line create pressure and get to the backfield either by recording sacks on the quarterback or stopping the run. This was the game plan for the defense when Tampa Bay made all of these offseason moves, including drafting Bain in the first round. There’s a long way to go, but to see the defense find success early on is a good starting point.

“I feel like each and every day we’re getting better, no matter what is going to be the next obstacle,” Bain said. “Whether that is a game, a bye week, no matter what is going on, we’re always getting better because it’s practice. We’re always going to come in each day and try to perfect our craft.

The first day of a fully padded practice went down on Monday and Pewter Report was on hand to recap the day during the latest episode of the Pewter Report Podcast. Check it out and subscribe to our PewterReportTV YouTube channel.