ESPN names No. 1 player in college football at the midway point of the 2025 season
By Derek Hryn
Published:
Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. has been named the No. 1 player in college football at the midway point of the 2025 season, according to ESPN’s midseason Top 25 player rankings.
Here’s some analysis from ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti on the Miami pass rusher:
“To say that Bain is a game-wrecker would be an understatement. The junior from Miami has been one of college football’s most unstoppable forces this season — a 6-3, 275-pound difference maker whose combination of versatility, athleticism and production has fueled the Hurricanes’ defense. His season so far makes him worthy of being not just the No. 1 player on this list, but also of receiving plenty of chatter about being one of the top picks in the upcoming NFL draft.”
Bain, who was ranked No. 33 in ESPN’s preseason list, has recorded 12 solo tackles, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble through the first half of the season. His dominant play has anchored a Miami defense that has serious potential to make a deep College Football Playoff run.
RELATED: Interested in joining a new DFS app? Here’s everything you need to know about Chalkboard Fantasy Sports as well as a Chalkboard promo code to help you get started!
The junior pass rusher headlines an ESPN midseason list that also includes Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza in the top five.
Miami will host Louisville on Friday night.
