If you're looking for a way-too-early Heisman pick, Mark Ingram’s got a name for you: Malachi Toney. The former Alabama star and 2009 Heisman winner didn’t hesitate on The Triple Option podcast, calling Toney “the next Heisman brother”-and after the year Toney just had, it’s not hard to see why.
Malachi Toney’s freshman campaign was nothing short of electric
Toney didn’t just make noise in his first year with the Miami Hurricanes-he led the nation in receptions, hauling in 109 catches for 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns over 16 games. That’s not just volume; that’s production with purpose. He was a go-to target in every situation, and Miami leaned on him heavily during their postseason run.
But Toney’s impact wasn’t limited to the passing game. He added 113 yards and a touchdown on the ground across 23 carries, threw for two touchdowns on gadget plays (completing 4-of-7 passes for 82 yards), and handled punt return duties all year long. He was, in every sense, a do-it-all weapon-and Miami used every bit of his versatility.
Stepping up on the biggest stage
In the College Football Playoff National Championship, Toney showed up when it mattered most. Miami came up short against Indiana, falling 27-21, but Toney was one of the Hurricanes’ few constants in a hard-fought game. He finished with 10 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown, proving once again that the moment isn’t too big for him.
That performance capped off a season that earned him plenty of hardware: ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year, and a spot on the Freshman All-America team. For a first-year player, that's about as decorated as it gets.
So… can a wide receiver really win the Heisman?
That’s the million-dollar question. The Heisman Trophy has long been a quarterback’s award-just look at the voting trends. For a wide receiver to break through, a few things usually need to happen: the player has to post eye-popping numbers, deliver in big moments, and play for a team that’s firmly in the national spotlight.
Toney checks the first two boxes already. The third? That’s where Miami comes in.
Despite their postseason run, the Hurricanes finished the regular season 10-2 and didn’t make it to the ACC Championship Game. If Toney’s going to make a serious push for the Heisman in 2026, Miami likely needs to hit 11-1 and punch a ticket to the ACC title game. That kind of success puts a player like Toney front and center when the Heisman conversation heats up in November.
The rare company of Heisman-winning wideouts
Only a handful of wide receivers have ever hoisted the Heisman Trophy: Johnny Rodgers (1972), Tim Brown (1987), Desmond Howard (1991), and most recently, DeVonta Smith in 2020. Travis Hunter won it in 2024 as a true two-way player, and Charles Woodson pulled off the same feat in 1997, though he was primarily a cornerback with some offensive snaps.
Bottom line: it’s rare air. But Toney has already shown he’s not your average freshman. If Miami can elevate their regular season performance in 2026, don’t be surprised if Toney’s name stays in the Heisman mix all year long.
Mark Ingram might be early-but he might also be right.