Miami's Rueben Bain Receives NFL Draft Boost After 'Hit Piece' Backlash

Insider reports show NFL teams were already aware of Bain's 2024 car accident case, which is unlikely to significantly impact his draft stock.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:11pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp planes of color representing the multifaceted nature of evaluating a prospect's draft stock beyond just on-field performance.A cubist interpretation of a top NFL draft prospect's relentless pass rushing ability, reflecting the complex factors that go into evaluating a player's character and off-field history.Today in Miami

Miami Hurricanes star edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is expected to be a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite a resurfaced report about a 2024 car accident that resulted in a passenger's death. While the incident has sparked backlash and comparisons to the Laremy Tunsil situation, league insiders say NFL teams have thoroughly vetted the case and it is unlikely to materially affect Bain's draft position.

Why it matters

Bain is considered one of the top defensive prospects in the upcoming draft, and any concerns about his character or off-field issues could significantly impact his draft stock and future NFL career. However, reports indicate the league is already aware of the 2024 accident and has determined it is not a major concern.

The details

The car accident occurred on March 17, 2024, when Bain's vehicle struck another car on I-95 in Miami. A passenger in the other vehicle, Destiny Betts, was placed into a coma and later died less than a month later. While the incident has resurfaced publicly, league sources say NFL teams have been aware of the case for a long time and have thoroughly vetted Bain since the fall.

  • The car accident occurred on March 17, 2024.
  • Destiny Betts, a passenger in the other vehicle, died less than a month later.
  • The incident resurfaced publicly on April 12, 2026, just over two weeks before the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Rueben Bain Jr.

A former All-American edge rusher for the Miami Hurricanes who is expected to be a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Destiny Betts

The passenger in the other vehicle involved in the 2024 car accident with Rueben Bain Jr., who was placed into a coma and later died less than a month later.

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What they’re saying

“Teams have been aware of this case for a long, long time, and there was a lawsuit associated with the case that was settled in Miami.”

— Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated Insider

“But the reason this has come out is because Bain's a football player, and this could materially affect where he plays football in 2026 and beyond.”

— Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated Insider

“Teams I've spoken with the past two months—outside of one—have been satisfied with Bain's explanation. Most have considered the matter handled.”

— Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports Reporter

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on April 24-26, where Rueben Bain Jr. is expected to be selected as one of the top defensive prospects despite the resurfaced car accident case.

The takeaway

While the details of Rueben Bain Jr.'s 2024 car accident case have sparked backlash and comparisons to past NFL draft controversies, league insiders indicate that NFL teams have thoroughly vetted the situation and it is unlikely to significantly impact Bain's draft stock. This highlights the importance of context and due diligence in evaluating off-field incidents for top prospects.