Miami Hurricanes receiver Malachi Toney returns after having one of the best seasons for a receiver in NCAA history
Miami Hurricanes receiver Malachi Toney had one of the best seasons for a freshman in NCAA history.
Actually, it was one of the top performances for any player regardless of class or position. Last year Toney had 1,211 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns on a nation-best 109 catches.
The numbers helped the Hurricanes reach the title game of the College Football Playoff, where they lost to the Indiana Hoosiers. Things are only expected to get better when Toney returns as a sophomore. Quarterback Gino Toretta was the last player to win the award in 1992.
"He's so electric," Rich Eisen said on his TV show. "Oh my God, every single time he got the ball, you stood up a little bit in the booth because you just don't know what's going to happen."
Longtime ESPN announcer Chris Fowler agrees that Toney is among the best players in college football. With the departure of quarterback Carson Beck, Toney now teams with Duke transfer Darian Mensah.
It should give Toney more opportunities to display his talent. The Hurricanes open the season against the Stanford Cardinal Sept. 4. It could be the beginning of a Heisman Trophy campaign for Toney.
"I love that guy," Fowler said of Toney. "He just turned 18. After catching the touchdown to beat Notre Dame in his first college game when he was 17, he had an amazing freshman season. He's wise beyond his years. He's extremely tough. He's a complete player. He's a team player. He was called 'Baby Jesus' in high school [in South Florida] because he was just that good."
Toney is continuing the long line of quality Hurricanes receivers that includes Michael Irvin, Andre Johnson and Santana Moss. Toney could wind up as the best of the bunch because of his game-breaking ability.
Fowler went far as awarding Toney a coveted label.
"You keep feeding him the ball, he just finds a way to create space and make things happen," Fowler said. "I think he's the most exciting player in this sport and I love the fact that we're going to see him for two more years."
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com