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A few weeks ago, I got the ball rolling on a divisive topic: Bain is a polarizing prospect among NFL scouts, mostly because of his body type and the way he wins as a pass rusher. He stands 6-foot-2 and 277 pounds with 30 3/4-inch arms, so some scouts project him inside as a three-technique while others see a base end. Some grade him in Round 1; others aren’t as optimistic. The first-round microscope is often merciless and stringent.
Let me be clear: That doesn’t mean Bain isn’t a good prospect (quite the contrary). But his evaluation is complicated. I believe Bain will be drafted in the first round — there aren’t 32 more impactful players in the draft. I was underwhelmed with Bain’s tape at times this season, especially in losses to Louisville and SMU, but his power and relentless motor directly lead to disruption. Those traits will be essential in getting the Buckeyes’ offense off schedule.
As for Mesidor, the super senior teased impact-level play but struggled with consistency in previous years, and foot injuries derailed his 2023 season and parts of 2024. Now healthy again, the native of Canada is playing his best ball (55 pressures in 12 games). Bain finished with more sacks against Texas A&M, but Mesidor was more impressive on tape and had a greater impact. He is a more diverse pass rusher than Bain, and you feel his active play style on every snap.
...With his football IQ, athleticism and toughness, safety Caleb Downs is the total package. At linebacker, Sonny Styles is a physical freak who is playing faster and more physical in 2025 and doesn’t miss tackles (he literally hasn’t missed a tackle in 13 games this season, according to PFF). Box-score scouts are disappointed that hybrid linebacker Arvel Reese, who will be one of the first players drafted in April, doesn’t have more sack production — but that isn’t what Ohio State asks him to do. His value is that he can be whatever you need him to be, and Matt Patricia has capitalized on his ability to spy and shut down the edges.
However, the most underrated part of the Buckeyes’ run-game dominance this season has been nose tackle Kayden McDonald. At 330 pounds, he moves light on his feet to shut down inside runs, and he resets the line of scrimmage with power behind his hands. McDonald has joined Downs, Styles and Reese as a first-round prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
www.nytimes.com
Let me be clear: That doesn’t mean Bain isn’t a good prospect (quite the contrary). But his evaluation is complicated. I believe Bain will be drafted in the first round — there aren’t 32 more impactful players in the draft. I was underwhelmed with Bain’s tape at times this season, especially in losses to Louisville and SMU, but his power and relentless motor directly lead to disruption. Those traits will be essential in getting the Buckeyes’ offense off schedule.
As for Mesidor, the super senior teased impact-level play but struggled with consistency in previous years, and foot injuries derailed his 2023 season and parts of 2024. Now healthy again, the native of Canada is playing his best ball (55 pressures in 12 games). Bain finished with more sacks against Texas A&M, but Mesidor was more impressive on tape and had a greater impact. He is a more diverse pass rusher than Bain, and you feel his active play style on every snap.
...With his football IQ, athleticism and toughness, safety Caleb Downs is the total package. At linebacker, Sonny Styles is a physical freak who is playing faster and more physical in 2025 and doesn’t miss tackles (he literally hasn’t missed a tackle in 13 games this season, according to PFF). Box-score scouts are disappointed that hybrid linebacker Arvel Reese, who will be one of the first players drafted in April, doesn’t have more sack production — but that isn’t what Ohio State asks him to do. His value is that he can be whatever you need him to be, and Matt Patricia has capitalized on his ability to spy and shut down the edges.
However, the most underrated part of the Buckeyes’ run-game dominance this season has been nose tackle Kayden McDonald. At 330 pounds, he moves light on his feet to shut down inside runs, and he resets the line of scrimmage with power behind his hands. McDonald has joined Downs, Styles and Reese as a first-round prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rueben Bain Jr., other 2026 NFL Draft prospects to know in Miami-Ohio State Playoff game
Wednesday night's matchup may not have the talent level of the 2003 Miami-Ohio State classic, but it's plenty loaded with NFL prospects.
www.nytimes.com
