Bucs rookies Reuben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott reunite in Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla. (WINK)—The Tampa Bay Buccaneers newest rookie class hit the field for the first time at minicamp.

Every rep, every drill and every conversation with a coach is a chance to prove they belong in the NFL. The Bucs went defense-heavy in this year's draft, and all eyes are on Reuben Bain Jr. out of Miami, along with a young defensive group that the team hopes can help set the tone this season.

From Miami Central to the University of Miami and now to Tampa Bay, first-round pick Reuben Bain Jr.'s football journey has kept him close to home. On the first day of rookie minicamp, the Miami native arrived wearing a Warren Sapp throwback, paying homage to both a Bucs legend and his South Florida roots.

"I've been on cloud nine ever since I walked in, just enjoying the process, enjoying where I'm at, and I'm happy, man," Bain said. "I'm where I'm supposed to be, and I'm with my friends, my team, I'm home."

"I feel like it speaks on the brotherhood we have at the University of Miami," Bain said. "It speaks on the amount of pride I got and where I'm at right now."

The Bucs prioritized defense in this year's draft, looking for players like Bain who bring size, physicality and an edge. Head Coach Todd Bowles was impressed with what he saw from the rookie linebacker.

"He looked like he was in mid-season form," Bowles said. "Obviously, he's from Miami, so he's going to be practicing in the heat where a lot of the other guys are going to struggle to adjust to this weather. So, it didn't bother him at all. He came in in great shape and he ran around well and he kind of picked up some things very well."

Bain isn't the only former Hurricane now in Tampa. Defensive back Keionte Scott also joined the Bucs, bringing a built-in connection with his former college teammate.

"Just being able to hold him, you know, accountable and him being able to hold me accountable is something that, you know, we're going to take pride in and then ultimately, you know, getting to see, you know, each other reach our goals," Scott said.

Bowles believes that familiarity, along with the toughness both players developed at Miami, can help establish the foundation for this new look defense.

"To bring in two guys from the same school that happened to go to the national championship game, I'm glad Bain fell to us, and luckily Keionte fell to us," Bowles said.