Malachi Toney has been nothing short of electric this season - a breakout star who didn’t just meet expectations, he shattered them. The Miami freshman wide receiver turned heads all year, setting a new program record for freshman receiving yards and becoming the go-to weapon in an offense that powered the Hurricanes into the College Football Playoff. But on Tuesday, despite the accolades and eye-popping production, Toney came up just short in the race for national hardware.
The 2025 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award went to Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, who has been carving up defenses with surgical precision all season. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic: less than 24 hours after Sayin claimed the award, he’ll face off against Toney and Miami in the CFP quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Sayin’s numbers speak for themselves. The Buckeyes’ signal-caller threw for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, while leading the nation with a staggering 78.4% completion rate.
That kind of efficiency - paired with his poise in big moments - also earned him a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist. It’s the kind of freshman campaign that doesn’t come around often, and it’s no surprise he took home the honor.
Still, there’s been some buzz - and let’s be honest, a bit of controversy - surrounding the award this year.
Toney, who finished the regular season with 84 catches for 970 yards and seven touchdowns, did all of that as a true freshman. He was just 17 years old when the season kicked off, and quickly became one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country. His blend of route-running polish and after-the-catch explosiveness made him a nightmare for opposing defenses and a lifeline for Miami’s offense.
That’s where the debate begins.
The Shaun Alexander Award, given annually since 2018 to the top freshman in college football, doesn’t technically require recipients to be true freshmen. But that’s always been the spirit of the award - honoring the best first-year player in the sport. And while Toney fits that bill to a T, Sayin’s path has been a bit more winding.
Sayin enrolled early at Alabama back in 2023, transferred to Ohio State, and redshirted in 2024. By the time he took the field this fall, he was 20 years old and had already spent two years in college systems, weight rooms, and film rooms. That’s not to take anything away from his performance - he’s been phenomenal - but for some fans, especially in Coral Gables, it raises questions about what the award is really meant to recognize.
Interestingly, the award’s namesake, Shaun Alexander, also redshirted his first year at Alabama. Whether that’s relevant or just a footnote depends on your perspective. But the selection committee has made its call, and Sayin is the 2025 winner.
Now, the focus shifts to the Cotton Bowl, where Toney and Sayin won’t just be competing for bragging rights - they’ll be fighting to keep their teams’ national championship hopes alive. Toney’s ability to impact the game - whether it’s stretching the field, moving the chains, or making big plays in the red zone - will be crucial if Miami wants to knock off the Buckeyes.
And if Toney needed any extra motivation? He’s got it now. The trophy may have slipped through his fingers, but the spotlight is still very much his for the taking.