The Miami Hurricanes didn’t get the storybook ending they wanted this season, but two of their brightest stars made sure the program’s resurgence didn’t go unnoticed. Wide receiver Malachi Toney and defensive lineman Rueben Bain have been named to Pro Football Focus’ All-American team - a well-earned recognition after standout seasons that helped catapult Miami back into the national spotlight.
Let’s start with Toney, who didn’t just play like a freshman - he played like a future star. According to PFF, Toney was the best true freshman in college football this year, and the numbers back it up.
He posted a 90.3 grade, second only to Makai Lemon among all FBS wide receivers. That’s elite company, but it’s the efficiency and versatility that really jump off the page.
Toney didn’t drop a single pass on 84 catchable targets. That’s not just reliable - that’s rare.
He also led the Power Four conferences with 623 yards after the catch, a stat that speaks to his explosiveness and ability to turn short gains into big plays. And just to round it out, he threw two touchdown passes and ran for another.
This wasn’t just a receiver having a good year - this was a do-it-all weapon breaking out on the national stage. Toney finished the season with 109 receptions for a school-record 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors along the way.
On the other side of the ball, Rueben Bain was a game-wrecker. The junior edge rusher was a nightmare for opposing offenses, racking up 30 solo tackles and 9.5 sacks.
His dominance didn’t go unnoticed by PFF, which gave him a 93.0 grade - tied for the best among all edge defenders in the country. What makes Bain so special is his balance.
He’s the only edge rusher in the Power Four with top-10 grades as both a run defender and pass rusher. That kind of two-way dominance is exactly what NFL scouts drool over, and it’s no surprise Bain is being talked about as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Together, Toney and Bain were the heartbeat of a Hurricanes team that finally broke through after years of frustration. This was Miami’s first appearance in the College Football Playoff title game since the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, a long-awaited return to relevance for a proud program. And while the season ended in disappointment with a loss to Indiana at Hard Rock Stadium, the journey itself was a turning point.
Under head coach Mario Cristobal - a Miami native who knows exactly what this program means to the city - the Hurricanes went from the last team selected into the playoff field to one of the best stories in college football. Toney and Bain were at the center of it all, leading with talent, toughness, and the kind of performances that don’t just win games - they change the trajectory of a program.
For Miami fans, this season was a glimpse of what’s possible when elite talent meets the right culture. And thanks to players like Toney and Bain, the `Canes aren’t just back - they’re building something that could last.