Fresh off a triple-threat freshman campaign, the Miami Hurricanes' 18-year-old phenom bulks up for a Heisman run while leading a revamped roster toward a national title return.
Miami, FL. – Despite missing out on Jeremiah Smith to Ohio State as a high-school recruit, the Miami Hurricanes found another homegrown, electrifying wide receiver in Malachi Toney a couple of years later. He joined the program as a reclassified 17-year-old freshman from Liberty City, then emerged as one of college football’s biggest stars.
Toney caught a nation’s high 109 catches for 1,211 yards, scoring 13 total touchdowns in receiving, rushing, and passing. He displayed a great level of versatility and unselfishness, plus delivered an immediate winning impact. Despite changes from within the program, especially on the offensive side of the field, Toney is expected to make another jump.
According to On3’s rankings of the best returning players for the upcoming season, the 18-year-old was listed at No. 3, behind Smith and Notre Dame Fighting Irish junior cornerback Leonard Moore. After earning ACC Rookie of the Year, First Team All-ACC, and several Freshman All-American honors, Toney is expected to achieve greater heights, including a campaign for the Heisman Trophy.
The Hurricanes successfully revamped the wide receiver room, surrounding the up-and-coming star with a strong group of talent. After CJ Daniels and Keelan Marion departed for the NFL Draft, Vandrevius Jacobs, Cam Vaughn, and All-ACC Cooper Barkate arrived through the transfer portal. It will be difficult for Toney to have another 100-plus catching season, but that’s not the priority for him.
Also, the team has a couple of in-house wide receivers in Joshua Moore and Daylyn Upshaw, both of whom are looking to take on expanded roles. They were part of the same recruiting class as Toney.
Coming off a National Championship appearance, the Hurricanes established a new winning culture and standard within the program. Toney understands what it takes to reach the biggest stage in college football, but hopes to deliver different results. He is known to get in early-morning workouts and coach Mario Cristobal hinted at some physical and mental changes from the wide receiver.
“He [Toney] doesn’t stop,” he said on ACC PM. “He’s put on between eight and 12 pounds of muscle. From a speed, acceleration, deceleration, and power standpoint, [he has] improved. He’s taking his game to a different level as it relates to the way he leads in the locker room and off the field. We asked him to be a sophomore when he was a freshman. Now, we’re asking him to be a senior as a sophomore. You see his continued growth and development because it means the world to him.”
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