In the world of college football, the Miami Hurricanes have been making waves with their standout players, and two names that have been frequently mentioned in the draft discussions are Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. While both players have impressive resumes, the question remains: who is the better pass rusher? In my opinion, the answer is not as straightforward as it may seem, and it's worth delving into the details to understand why.
Mesidor, a former West Virginia Mountaineers player, began his college football journey with a bang, recording five sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman. However, his time with the Mountaineers was not without its challenges. In his second year, Mesidor was shifted inside to play on the interior line, and while he still produced, his numbers took a slight dip. Despite this, Mesidor made the bold decision to transfer to Miami, where he returned to his edge position and dominated, leading the team with seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
Bain, on the other hand, arrived at Miami as a true freshman and immediately made an impact. When Mesidor was shut down with an injury, Bain stepped up and delivered 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. However, Bain's performance took a hit in his sophomore year due to injury, logging only 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Mesidor, too, struggled in his fifth year, registering only 5.5 sacks with nine tackles for loss.
The turning point for both players came in the 2025 season, where they both put on a show for NFL scouts. Mesidor recorded 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, while Bain delivered 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. However, what makes Mesidor stand out is his ability to get to the quarterback, with a full arsenal of attack moves and an effective plan of attack. Teams looking for a pure pass rusher will see Mesidor as the superior talent.
Bain, on the other hand, offers greater versatility along the line, having played both edge and interior snaps. His methods are violent, quick, and powerful, and his ability to bring the fight to his opponent often overcomes concerns over his shorter arm length. Even without the pass rushing prowess, Bain's 83 pressures in 2025 were the most in a season since 2014.
One thing that immediately stands out is the fact that Mesidor has never been outshined by Bain on the field. When they played together, Mesidor drew fewer double teams, which may have contributed to his success. However, it's worth noting that Bain's ability to disrupt the offensive line cannot be overlooked, and his overall disruption may give him an edge over Mesidor.
In my opinion, the debate between Mesidor and Bain comes down to a matter of perspective. Mesidor may be the more talented pass rusher, but Bain's versatility and overall disruption make him a more well-rounded player. Ultimately, the decision between the two comes down to the needs of the team and the strategy of the draft. While Mesidor may be the more talented pass rusher, Bain is currently still in line to hear his name called a bit earlier in the evening.
