Malachi Toney Is a Triple-Threat Nightmare-and Texas A&M Has Its Hands Full
There’s no sugarcoating it-Malachi Toney isn’t just the best freshman wide receiver in college football this season. He’s already playing like one of the top wideouts in the entire country, regardless of class. And now, as Miami gears up for a high-stakes showdown with Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff, the spotlight is squarely on the Hurricanes’ do-it-all weapon.
Toney’s numbers from the regular season are staggering, especially for a first-year player. He set Miami freshman records with 84 catches for 970 yards, tacking on seven receiving touchdowns.
But that’s just the beginning of what he brings to the field. He’s not just a receiver-he’s a Swiss Army knife in shoulder pads.
Toney added 17 carries for 89 yards and a rushing touchdown, and even completed 4-of-6 passes for 82 yards and two more scores. That’s not a stat line-it’s a résumé.
So how do you slow down a player who can beat you in three different ways? That’s the question facing a Texas A&M defense that’s been one of the better units in the country.
The Aggies come into the matchup ranked 17th nationally in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.1) and 21st in passing yards allowed per game (182.8). On paper, they’ve got the tools.
But Toney is the kind of player who can turn paper matchups into highlight reels.
According to Pro Football Focus, Toney enters the CFP with a 90.5 receiving grade-good for third nationally among qualified wide receivers-and he’s done it without a single drop on 100 targets. That ties a PFF single-season college record.
Think about that: 100 targets, zero drops. That’s elite-level consistency.
And when he gets the ball in his hands, he’s even more dangerous. Toney leads all Power Four players with 623 yards after the catch.
He’s also first in the nation with 40 receptions and 322 yards on screen passes. That’s where things get particularly interesting, because Texas A&M has been the stingiest team in the country against screens, allowing just 2.4 yards per attempt.
Something’s got to give.
The Aggies’ ability to rally to the ball and limit Toney’s yards after the catch will be a major swing factor. If they can bottle him up in space, they’ll have a shot at slowing down a Miami offense that often runs through No.
- But that’s a big “if.”
Toney isn’t just a volume guy-he’s a chain-mover and a big-play threat. He’s tied for 12th nationally with 38 receptions of 10+ yards.
He’s picked up 48 first downs through the air, including 19 catches of 15+ yards and six that went for 25 or more. When Miami needs a spark or a conversion, they’re looking Toney’s way-and more often than not, he delivers.
And then there’s the ground game. Of his 17 carries, seven went for first downs, and five of those were gains of 10+ yards.
He’s not just taking jet sweeps for show-he’s moving the sticks. Even as a passer, he’s been effective: three of his six attempts went for first downs, two for 15+ yards, and one was a 44-yard strike.
Bottom line? Every time Toney touches the ball, he’s a threat to flip the field or find the end zone. Whether it’s a screen, a deep route, a gadget play, or a trick pass, he forces defenses to account for him in all phases-and that’s a nightmare for any coordinator.
Heading into Saturday’s CFP matchup, Toney is riding a hot streak: 25 receptions for 272 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games, plus two completions for 24 yards and another score. He’s peaking at the right time.
For Texas A&M, the mission is clear-contain Malachi Toney, or risk watching their CFP run end at the hands of one of the most dynamic freshmen college football has seen in years.