Malachi Toney didn’t just turn heads in his first year at Miami - he redefined what’s possible for a true freshman wide receiver. Now, as we look ahead to 2026, the buzz around Toney is only getting louder.
On3 and Rivals both named him to their way-too-early All-American team, slotting him in alongside Ohio State standout Jeremiah Smith. And based on what we saw last season, it’s hard to argue with that pick.
Let’s start with the numbers: 109 catches, 1,211 yards - both Miami freshman records - and a spot in the history books as the first freshman in program history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. That kind of production is rare for any college receiver, let alone one who reclassified into the 2025 recruiting class and was just 17 years old when the season kicked off. Toney wasn’t just ahead of schedule - he was dominating it.
From the jump, Toney looked like he belonged on the big stage. He opened the season with six catches, 82 yards, and a touchdown against Notre Dame - not exactly a soft landing.
And when the lights got brighter, Toney got better. He scored in three of Miami’s four playoff games, including a clutch, game-winning touchdown against Texas A&M - a moment that came after he’d lost a fumble earlier in the game.
That kind of bounce-back says a lot about who he is as a competitor. Then, in the College Football Playoff National Championship against Indiana, he delivered again: 10 catches, 122 yards, and another score.
What’s wild is that Toney wasn’t even considered a top-tier recruit coming out of high school. He was a fringe four-star prospect - a guy many schools liked, but few projected to be this kind of immediate impact player.
But Toney had already shown his versatility and leadership at American Heritage, stepping in as quarterback during a state championship run when the starter went down. That do-it-all mentality followed him to Miami.
Whether it was catching passes, taking handoffs, or throwing on trick plays, Toney found a way to make things happen.
And while his stat line jumps off the page, it’s the intangibles that really set Toney apart. At 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, he’s not the biggest guy on the field - but you wouldn’t know it by the way he plays.
He blocks like a tight end, fights through contact, and never shies away from physicality. That toughness showed up every week, whether he was springing a teammate for extra yards or taking a hit over the middle to move the chains.
Now, Miami is doing everything it can to keep Toney trending upward. The Hurricanes have built a wide receiver room with complementary pieces around him and could still add more.
And if they manage to land quarterback Darian Mensah, it could take this offense to a whole new level. With Toney as the centerpiece, Miami’s attack has the potential to be one of the most explosive in the country.
Malachi Toney isn’t just a breakout star - he’s a foundational piece for a Miami team with championship aspirations. And if his freshman year was just the beginning, college football better buckle up.