The 17-year-old phenom dominated the nation in yards after the catch, cementing a versatile Heisman contender status, ready to lead the Miami Hurricanes towards a national title.
MIAMI, Fla. – Although Jeremiah Smith is the talk of college football, Miami Hurricanes’ rising star Malachi Toney is creeping up in conversations. As a reclassified 17-year-old freshman, the Liberty City native never shied away from the spotlight. The resiliency and courage of Toney led to a historic season: catching a nation-high 109 passes for 1,211 yards, scoring 13 total touchdowns – receiving, rushing, and passing.
Despite the reputation and establishment within the program, Toney’s targets will likely see fluidity. The Hurricanes revamped the wide receiver core with transfers, such as Vandrevius Jacobs, Cam Vaughn, and All-ACC Cooper Barkate, plus a couple of in-house talents – Joshua Moore and Daylyn Upshaw – who are climbing the depth chart. Regardless of the situation, Toney’s impact should still be great, if not greater, this upcoming season.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 18-year-old sophomore is considered the biggest threat in yards after the catch. He ranked ahead of Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Young, Texas Tech’s Jalen Jones, Texas A&M’s Mario Craver, and Alabama’s Ryan Coleman-Williams.
Toney logged 841 yards after the catch – another nation’s high. Also, he forced 33 missed tackles.
The Hurricanes have a threat from all over the field. Although Toney primarily plays in the slot, he’s able to impact the game in different ways that often get overlooked. Along with catching, running, and passing the ball, Toney can block and create space for others to operate.
In ESPN’s College GameDay matchup against the Florida Gators, the former freshman was blocking veteran defensive backs. Although it doesn’t show up on the stat sheets, blocking creates winning plays.
Toney is projected to have an All-American season, plus a campaign for the Heisman Trophy. Given the expectations, it’s an indication he’s way ahead of schedule in terms of development.
Despite all the talented attributes, Toney will be relied upon to do more than just complete plays on the field. He’s viewed as one of the team’s leaders. Toney will be held to a greater standard this upcoming season.
As the Hurricanes are established National Championship contenders, there will be national eyes on the electrifying wide receiver. The upcoming season will provide an early indication as to Toney’s projection for the 2029 NFL Draft. Several scouts and executives will likely keep tabs on him.
Toney’s versatility gives him a chance to surpass Jeremiah Smith as the best player in college football. A new journey awaits, but first comes fall camp.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!
Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
