Malachi Toney gave the Heisman conversation a jolt on Saturday, and the AP noticed.
After torching Pitt in Miami’s 52-23 win, Toney was named the Associated Press National Player of the Week for the second time this season. He piled up 16 catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns, turning a game the Panthers believed they had a plan for into another showcase for the Hurricanes’ star receiver.
That kind of production has become familiar. Toney also won the honor in Week 1 after his 234-yard outing against Stanford, and his 16 receptions against Pitt broke the single-game record of 13 he had set last year against the Panthers. Pitt gets Miami again next season, so there’s at least one more chance for Toney to leave another mark on that matchup.
“He has the trust of the entire organization, certainly the quarterback," Cristobal said about Toney after Saturday's game. "There’s not a guy in the country that's more dependable than Malachi Toney.”
Toney’s latest explosion also pushed him deeper into Miami’s record book. He moved past Leonard Hankerson and into seventh place on the program’s all-time receiving yards list with 2,163 yards, and he crossed the 2,000-yard threshold along the way. The all-time Miami record belongs to Xavier Restrepo at 2,844 yards.
With five games left, that record is in play. If Miami keeps playing into an extended postseason, Toney could even get beyond 3,000 yards.
What makes the climb even louder is how fast he’s done it: this is his second year with the Hurricanes, and outside of Michael Irvin, every receiver ahead of him on the list needed four seasons to build those totals. Toney is also just 19.
Top 10 Miami wide receivers by yards
- Xavier Restrepo (2020-24) 2,844
2, Santana Moss (1997-2000) 2,547
- Reggie Wayne (1997-2000) 2,510
- Michael Irvin (1985-87) 2,423
- Lamar Thomas (1989-92) 2,271
- Stacy Coley (2013-16) 2,222
- Malachi Toney (2025-26) 2,163
- Leonard Hankerson (2007-10) 2,160
- Mike Harley (2017-21) 2,158
- Travis Benjamin (2008-11) 2,146
The Heisman market is catching up, too. After Saturday, oddsmakers pushed Toney into the top three at +370. Only Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith (+120) and Miami teammate Darian Mensah (+290) sit ahead of him, and the race has narrowed to those three.
Miami hasn’t picked a side. The program released a Heisman campaign featuring both Hurricanes, with the message: “Two names. One standard.”
Toney has never come across as the type to chase the spotlight for one player over the team, but the individual buzz is hard to ignore now. He’s collecting hardware, piling up yards and forcing his way into the center of the Heisman picture. With Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin sidelined, the final month of the regular season could leave this race wide open.
In Other News...
Miami Just Got A Big Recruiting Boost With One Huge Twist
A'mir Sears has already given Miami plenty to feel good about, and now the five-star athlete from Christopher Columbus High School has delivered another boost for the Hurricanes recruiting momentum. The local standout, who committed in July, has reclassified to the 2027 class and plans to enroll early at the University of Miami in January, adding another headline-grabbing name to a class that has stayed highly regarded on the national scene.
Sears is still making his mark on the prep stage, too, lining up as both a wide receiver and defensive back while continuing to put together a strong high school career. For Miami, the timing matters as much as the talent: the Hurricanes have kept their 2027 class among the countrys elite despite some recent movement, and Sears decision only adds to the buzz around what the program is building. [Read more 🡒]
Miamis Elite Local Commit Could Arrive Sooner Than Fans Expected
AMir Sears has already given Miami plenty to feel good about, and now the elite South Florida commit may be moving onto campus sooner than expected. The five-star two-way standout, who recently reclassified and is currently at Christopher Columbus High School, has been putting up eye-catching production on both sides of the ball this season while settling in as one of the most prized recruits in the class.
What makes this development especially important for the Hurricanes is the local angle. Sears had no shortage of major offers, but he chose to stay home, and his reported plan to enroll early at the University of Miami could accelerate the timeline on his impact. For a program always trying to keep top talent in South Florida, getting a player of his caliber in the building ahead of schedule would be a meaningful boost even before he takes his first college snap. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Looked Dangerous But One Problem Could Haunt Them At UNC
Miami left the Pittsburgh game with plenty to like on offense, especially through the air, and the win offered another reminder of how dangerous this group can be when the passing game is humming. The rushing attack was solid enough to keep the offense balanced, and the good news out of the night was that Miami came away without any notable injuries as it turned the page toward North Carolina.
The bigger question now is whether that formula will hold up against a stronger opponent. Even after a productive showing, concerns about Miamis pass rush and pass defense linger, and those are the areas most likely to be tested in Chapel Hill. Against a tougher lineup, the Hurricanes may need more than offensive rhythm to keep control of the game. [Read more 🡒]