Malik Reneau’s path into the Miami lineup is still tied to a legal fight, but for now the Hurricanes forward is cleared to play for the 2026-27 season.
The South Florida native received that fifth year of eligibility after a September 23 preliminary injunction granted more than 90 athletes from the 2022 classification an extra season. Reneau’s case gives him three years at Indiana and one with Miami, and the ruling opened the door for him to suit up this season.
Reneau kept his head down through most of the process, but he addressed it at Miami’s basketball media day and explained how the situation unfolded behind the scenes.
"I wasn't the only [athlete affected], but I was able to get with my agent, my group, and get that situated," Reneau said. "We talked with Jerry and whoever I needed to talk to from the school and went from there.
It wasn't really anything crazy. Once I put my name in that situation, with the lawsuit and stuff, I just kept on steady grinding, staying in the weight room, training, and doing all that stuff."
He also said part of the reason he wanted another season in Miami was personal: he wants to finish his degree for his parents.
When Reneau first brought up the possibility of coming back to head coach Jai Lucas, Lucas told him there would be a spot waiting. Reneau said that didn’t sink in right away.
"At first, I didn't believe him," Reneau said. "There's so many good guys in here, and I didn't want to disturb anything they had going on, but Jai came to me with open arms, told me I had a spot, and I just went from there.
There wasn't really any back and forth. Coach knows what I'm capable of doing, and he knows I'll help the team with anything they need on the court."
The catch is that Reneau’s status still isn’t locked in. The NCAA has filed an emergency stay motion in appellate court, and if that stay is granted, every athlete covered by the injunction would become immediately ineligible, Reneau included.
If the court does not issue a ruling until after the season, or if the appeal is denied, Reneau and the other athletes on that list will be able to finish the year as planned.
Miami opens the season against Vanderbilt on October 23, with tipoff set for 6 p.m.
In Other News...
Miami Survived FSU But The Ending Will Fuel Rivalry Debate
Miami's win over Florida State had all the ingredients of a classic rivalry game, and the final minutes only added to the chaos. The Hurricanes left with a 43-35 victory, but the closing sequence quickly shifted the conversation from the result itself to how it unfolded, with a holding penalty wiping out what would have been a game-tying touchdown catch for the Seminoles.
Florida State never got the finish it wanted, and the debate around the calls is likely to linger long after the scoreboard is filed away. On the next play, the Seminoles' Hail Mary was ruled an interception after review, a decision ESPN rules analyst Steve Shaw backed, giving Miami a disputed but official edge in a game that figures to fuel this rivalry for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Held Its Breath As Malachi Toney Went Down Vs FSU
For a Miami offense that has leaned heavily on Malachi Toney this season, every snap from the receiver mattered when he limped off the field with a lower leg injury against Florida State. Toney had already piled up seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown when the concern surfaced, and for a brief moment it looked like the Hurricanes might have to navigate the rest of the game without their most reliable target.
Instead, after an injury timeout, Toney returned to action and gave Miami a chance to exhale. There was no immediate word on the severity of the issue or whether it would affect his playing time moving forward, which leaves the Hurricanes waiting on the next update while keeping an eye on one of the most important pieces of their passing game. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Faces One Huge O-Line Decision Before Florida State
Max Buchanans absence has turned one of Miamis most important offensive line spots into a real week-to-week puzzle. The Hurricanes starting right guard is out for an extended period after surgery, and with Florida State looming, Mario Cristobal and his staff are sorting through a few very different options to keep the interior line intact.
Sophomores Seuseu Alofaituli and Jackson Cantwell are in the mix, along with redshirt junior Jamal Meriweather, giving Miami a blend of upside and experience to weigh at a critical moment. The staff still has time to settle on a starter before the rivalry game, but this is the kind of late-week decision that can shape everything from protection to run-game rhythm. [Read more 🡒]