Record-shattering yardage and Heisman-level efficiency fuel an emerging rivalry between two elite playmakers. As Malachi Toney outpaces Jeremiah Smith’s explosive Week 1 stats, the Biletnikoff Award race takes a dramatic turn.
MIAMI, Fla. – Usually, when deciding who the best college football player is, most media outlets, analysts, and fans gravitate towards Ohio State’s superstar and junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, but Miami Hurricanes’ Malachi Toney might have bridged the gap.
Both playmakers had remarkable Week 1 performances, but one might outweigh the other.
In the Buckeyes’ 56-3 win over Ball State, Smith caught eight passes for 156 yards and scored two touchdowns. He would not play in the second half, given the team’s 28-3 lead at halftime.
Meanwhile, Toney picked up where he left off from last season’s historic freshman campaign. The 18-year-old sophomore caught 12 passes on 13 targets for 234 yards, a new career high and the most for any Hurricanes receiver in a single game, and scored three touchdowns. Toney did play in the third quarter, but sat in the fourth.
In all fairness, in the first half alone, Toney caught 10 passes for 182 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Another big difference is yards after catch:
Toney: 95
Smith: 18
Both playmakers are on an early pace to carve out Heisman Trophy finalist cases. They even hit the pose after scoring in the end zone.
Smith has been a college football standout since he was a freshman in the 2024 season, when the Miami native led the Big 10 with 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as an immediate starter. The Buckeyes went on to win the National Championship. Smith continues to stand out and capture the nation’s attention, but Toney is creeping up.
As a 17-year-old reclassified freshman, the Liberty City (Fla.) native took the college football world by storm. He led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 109 catches for 1,211 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns – receiving (10), rushing (one), passing (two).
Although Smith is projected to be a high first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, Toney’s upside could be higher for 2028.
Both receivers will likely go head-to-head for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver, regardless of position. Smith and Toney were named on the preseason watch list for it, along with Hurricanes wide receiver Cooper Barkate.
This is a matchup that wasn’t heavily anticipated throughout the offseason, but is starting to gather national attention. Smith and Toney wasted no time starting the year on a strong note, but the challenge will only get higher week by week.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
