Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney is fourth in the "Ranking the top freshmen so far in the 2025 college football season" by Billy Tucker of ESPN. Toney had a breakout game in the season opener versus Notre Dame and has quickly become the top target for Miami quarterback Carson Beck.
Toney is the top non-quarterback among the ESPN top 10 freshmen nationally. Maryland quarterback Malik Washington, California signal caller Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and the top signee in the 2025 class, Bryce Underwood of Michigan, are the only freshmen ranked higher than Toney by ESPN.
Toney has at least four receptions and 40 yards in each of the first four 2025 Miami games. In the first three games of his collegiate career, Toney had at least six receptions and 66 yards. In addition to his production as a receiver, Toney also has five punt returns for 43 yards.
Toney is one of only four freshmen nationally in the top 100 in receptions. Dakorian Moore of Oregon and Vernell Brown III of Florida are the only other WRs on the ESPN ranking of the top 10 freshman nationally so far in 2025.
"Toney reclassified into Miami's 2025 class and wasted no time proving he was undervalued as a three-star recruit...He caught six passes for 82 yards and a score to help beat No. 6 Notre Dame.. He has already become Carson Beck's most reliable target, leading Miami in receptions (22) and yards (268) through four games... lead(ind) all true freshmen through four games. Notably, he has 148 yards against two AP Top 25 opponents...Toney looks like Miami's next great playmaker."Billy Tucker, ESPN
Toney was named the 247Sports true freshman of the week for his performance against Notre Dame. C.J. Daniels and Toney have been the best receivers for Miami in 2025. Daniels is second to Toney on Miami with 18 receptions and 191 receiving yards and leads the Hurricanes with three TD catches.
Tucker mentioned the performance by Toney against Notre Dame. Toney had six receptions for 66 yards against South Florida in the other 2025 Miami game against an AP Top 25 opponent. Miami and Toney will play their third-ranked team in five 2025 games at Florida State on Saturday.
The production from Daniels and Toney has been important for Miami after losing its top six receivers from 2024. After the win over Notre Dame, Beck said of Toney, "He was our secret weapon tonight...I don't think he'll be a secret anymore."