Miami Hurricanes WR Malachi Toney has fully established himself in the world of college football, and now a national outlet is calling him the best freshman in the country.
ESPN this week ranked the Miami wide receiver No. 1 on its list of the top 20 freshmen after two months of the 2025 season, noting that Toney has "remained solid" and called him "Miami's next great playmaker."
"At 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, Toney has become Carson Beck's most reliable target and one of the ACC's most productive receivers, ranking fourth in catches and seventh in yards (698) among conference pass catchers through 10 games. He has added five touchdowns through the air and one on the ground in his rookie season. With secure hands, quickness after the catch and fearlessness in traffic, Toney looks like Miami's next great playmaker."Billy Tucker
Malachi Toney has left no doubt he belongs at No. 1 on our top 20 freshmen in college football ranking for ESPN 🏆 @MALACHITONEY2
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) November 18, 2025
The Miami wideout has had outstanding production, emerging as one of the best young playmakers in CFB.
Full rankings: https://t.co/YbAmaYiJay pic.twitter.com/ZUNXSUjiuL
Malachi Toney's performance this year
Through 10 games, Toney leads all freshman receivers nationally in snaps, targets and receptions. Toney's emergence has come during a roller-coaster stretch for Miami. The Hurricanes started 5-0 and climbed into the top five with wins over multiple ranked opponents, including Notre Dame. Then setbacks against Louisville and SMU dropped them in the rankings and put their College Football Playoff hopes in doubt. Through those swings, Toney has been one of the constants in the offense.
Malachi Toney's recruiting profile
A high school standout, Toney reclassified from the 2026 recruiting class into 2025, making him one of the youngest players on Miami's roster. He arrived with a decorated high school resume that included the Nat Moore Award as South Florida's top player and Florida High School Player of the Year honors from MaxPreps.
What's next for Malachi Toney?
This is not the first time Toney has drawn national freshman buzz. He was previously featured in an ESPN ranking of the top 10 true freshmen earlier in the season. Now, being labeled the top freshman in college football through two months only cements what Miami fans have watched since August.
Whatever happens with Miami's playoff chase, the program's next star wideout already looks like he is in place.