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Fresh off another practice in prep for NC State, Rueben Bain, the freshman defensive lineman who has taken the ACC by storm, spoke about his experience this season.
Facing off in practice against his team’s own offensive line, touted as one of the best, Bain finds it both beneficial and challenging. "It helped us a lot. The hard work we put in during practice shows off in the game,” he said, hinting at the intensity of their intra-team skirmishes. However, he does admit there’s a flip side to it, adding that it can get “very frustrating” trying to get past teammates who are as good as any they face in real matchups.
As a young player receiving a lot of accolades, Bain remains grounded. When asked how he manages to steer clear of the outside noise and maintain focus, he explained, "I just always want more for myself. Getting accolades is nice, but I always see the bigger picture." His relentless drive to achieve more keeps him humble.
Turning his attention to the upcoming match, Bain provided insights on NC State's offense. Describing them as an "aggressive o-line", he recognized their experience and the challenge they present, especially with some of his teammates sidelined.
Addressing his role as one of the young leaders in the locker room, Bain attributed his leadership capabilities to the respect he's earned from his peers. "Once you get respected, your peer becomes pretty easy," he noted. Leadership, for Bain, is a combination of leading by example and vocalizing the right message at the right time.
On the subject of the ACC’s new schedule model and the inclusion of SMU, Cal, and Stanford, Bain admitted he wasn't previously aware but is certainly excited. "It's just more opponents that come to the conference, new opportunities," he stated. He’s particularly eager about the team’s impending trip to California next year.
Wrapping up the conversation, he was asked about facing the crunch month of November. Bain's answer? He believes the challenge remains consistent throughout the season. It's about the team focusing on themselves, regardless of the month or opponent.
While there’s no name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal on the horizon yet with the fast-food chain, Bain hopes there might be something in the works soon.
