The University of Miami has long been known for producing elite wide receivers, a lineage that includes Michael Irvin, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Santana Moss. Now, a new name is emerging as the next standout in that storied tradition: freshman Malachi Toney.
Toney arrived at Miami as a three-star recruit from powerhouse American Heritage High School, the same program that produced NFL talents such as Patrick Surtain II and Sony Michel. Despite being recruited as a receiver, Toney led American Heritage to the Class 4A state championship last season while filling in at quarterback after the starter was injured. He threw for 188 yards and a touchdown and ran for another in a 40–31 win over Jones High School. It was a performance that showed of his overall talents.
Those traits have carried over to his debut season with the Hurricanes. In Saturday’s 41-7 win over NC State, Toney recorded five receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns, and completed a 44-yard pass to JoJo Trader that set up a CharMar “Marty” Brown rushing score. A week earlier, he threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Carson Beck on a trick play.
Toney leads all Miami freshmen in snaps, targets and receptions, with 59 catches for 698 yards and five receiving touchdowns. He also has one rushing score. His 59 receptions are the most by a freshman in school history, surpassing Ahmmon Richards’ 49 in 2016. Richards still holds the freshman yardage record with 934, a mark Toney is within reach of with two games remaining. He is also closing in on the program’s single-season receptions record of 79 set by Charleston Rambo in 2021.
Toney has quickly become Beck’s go-to target thanks to his speed, reliable hands and ability to line up anywhere on the field. His quarterback background has also made Miami’s offense more unpredictable, with defenses now forced to account for trick-play possibilities.
With Miami still in contention for a College Football Playoff berth, Toney has an opportunity to further cement his place in Hurricanes history. If his first season is any indication, he may one day join the elite company of Miami’s all-time great receivers.
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