Miami’s national championship hopes just fell six points short - and now, they’re bracing for an even bigger loss off the field.
Malachi Toney, the Hurricanes’ breakout freshman wide receiver and arguably the most electric player in Mario Cristobal’s offense this season, is planning to enter the transfer portal. That news landed Tuesday, confirmed by his mother, Statravia Toney, after a rollercoaster 48 hours that started with her publicly denying any transfer rumors.
Toney wasn’t just good this year - he was historic. The Fort Lauderdale native racked up over 1,200 receiving yards, hauled in 109 catches (an ACC freshman record), and found the end zone 10 times.
No Miami player had ever caught more passes in a single season. He was the go-to guy, the spark plug, the future.
And now, he’s on his way out.
The sudden shift has left Coral Gables reeling. Just two days before the news broke, Statravia responded to a fan on social media who floated the idea of Malachi transferring to Ohio State - one of his original suitors out of high school.
Her response? “Don’t get it twisted, we’re home.”
But home, it seems, was temporary.
Now, Ohio State is back in the picture, along with Florida and USF, as top contenders for Toney’s next stop. And fans across the country - not just in Miami - are taking notice. One tweet from a college football commentator summed up the reaction in Columbus: “I’d greatly appreciate it if this dude didn’t end up at Ohio State.”
That’s the kind of talent we’re talking about. Toney isn’t just a promising young receiver - he’s a game-changer. And he’s about to become one of the most coveted names in the portal.
Tuesday marked the beginning of a five-day window for Miami and Indiana players to enter the transfer portal following the national title game. Toney has until Saturday to make it official, but all signs point to his departure. Miami had already seen eight players leave before the championship - now, the exodus is picking up speed.
And this one stings more than most.
Toney was more than just a star on the field - he was a marketing magnet off it. He already signed with Leaf Trading Cards and became the first college athlete to partner with Hellstar, a high-end Los Angeles-based apparel brand. His NIL profile was booming, and according to reports, Miami was prepared to back that up with serious money.
Sources told CBS Sports that Toney was in line for a massive raise, one that would’ve put him among the highest-paid receivers in the country in 2026. We’re talking numbers comparable to what Texas gave Cam Coleman or what Ohio State is paying Jeremiah Smith. One source summed it up like this: “Whatever number you had in mind… more.”
Miami saw him as the cornerstone of next year’s offense - second only to the quarterback in terms of roster priority. He chose the Hurricanes over Ohio State out of high school because he wanted to rep his city. Now, he might be heading back to the Buckeyes, or possibly staying in-state with the Gators or Bulls.
Whether this move is about money, opportunity, or simply a fresh start, one thing’s clear: Cristobal is staring down his most significant roster loss yet. And for Miami fans, the timing couldn’t be worse.
The Hurricanes came within a possession of a national title. Now, they’re losing the player who helped get them there.
The transfer portal has changed the game. And Malachi Toney just became one of its biggest players.