2018 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Conference Title Games
Reggie Bain (OT – Florida Atlantic) vs. North Texas
After a 1-2 start to the season, Lane Kiffin’s Florida Atlantic Owls were a far cry from the team fighting for a Conference USA title this weekend. The Owls are 8-1, including eight straight wins, since making the switch to Jason Driskel at quarterback. Driskel has played well this season and has had as much time as any QB in the nation to throw the football thanks to an offensive line led by left tackle Reggie Bain.
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Bain was on track to be a senior this season, however he was hit by a car while riding his scooter just eight days before the 2016 season opener. He broke his hip in the accident and was sidelined the entire season. So now instead of being a senior, he’s a redshirt junior. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Bain is likely to stay at Florida Atlantic rather than enter the 2018 NFL Draft, but he is the school’s top prospect. He’s part of an offensive line that has started the same five players in 11 of 12 games this season. That continuity has paid off as the Owls have only allowed 13 sacks this year, 12th best in the FBS. As the starting QB for the last nine games, Driskel has only been sacked four times.
Reggie Bain is one of the best comeback stories of 2017. That story can get even better if Florida Atlantic knocks off North Texas to win the Conference USA championship. In a game that doesn’t feature any future first-round picks, keep an eye on big number 58 manning the left tackle position for Florida Atlantic. Whether he’s pass protecting or mauling defenders in the run game, Bain will be fun to watch.