Miami’s Dynamic Duo: Rueben Bain Jr. and Malachi Toney Sweep ACC Honors
The University of Miami didn’t just make noise in the ACC this season - they brought the thunder. And at the heart of it all were two of the most electric players in the conference: Rueben Bain Jr. and Malachi Toney. On Wednesday, the ACC made it official - Miami’s stars are among the very best in the league.
Bain, the relentless junior defensive end, was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, while Toney, a true freshman phenom, pulled off a rare trifecta: ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, and a spot on the All-ACC First Team. Not bad for a debut season.
Let’s start with Bain, who’s been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks all year. The Miami native may not have eye-popping traditional stats - 37 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks - but don’t let the box score fool you.
Bain’s impact goes well beyond the numbers. His 92.9 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus ranked second in the entire nation, and his 57 quarterback pressures were fifth-most in the country.
That’s elite disruption, plain and simple.
Bain’s motor never stops, and his ability to collapse pockets and force hurried throws has been a cornerstone of Miami’s defensive success. It’s no surprise that NFL scouts are already circling his name.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has him pegged as the top defensive line prospect in the upcoming draft - and with good reason. Bain doesn’t just play defense; he dictates it.
Then there’s Malachi Toney, who didn’t just turn heads - he spun them. The American Heritage product exploded onto the scene in Miami’s season-opening win over Notre Dame and never looked back.
He rewrote the freshman record book at The U, racking up 970 receiving yards, the most ever by a Miami freshman. He’s also just one reception shy of tying the school’s single-season record, a mark he’s likely to surpass in the postseason.
Toney earned All-ACC First Team honors as a wide receiver and also landed on the Second Team as an all-purpose player, thanks to his contributions in the return game and even under center. That versatility is rare - and it’s part of what makes him so dangerous.
His 90.4 PFF receiving grade leads all freshmen nationwide and trails only two players across the board: USC’s Makai Lemon and North Texas’ Wyatt Young. That’s elite company, and Toney’s only getting started.
If he cracks the 1,000-yard mark in the postseason - which seems likely - he’ll become just the seventh receiver in Miami history to hit that milestone. For a program with a rich tradition at the position, that’s no small feat.
Together, Bain and Toney have become the face of a resurgent Hurricanes squad. One is anchoring the defense with relentless pressure and next-level instincts.
The other is redefining what a freshman wideout can be, making big plays look routine. And both are giving Miami fans plenty to be excited about - not just for what they’ve done, but for what’s still to come.
The ACC has officially recognized what anyone watching Miami this season already knew: Rueben Bain Jr. and Malachi Toney are stars. And they’re just getting started.