Malachi Toney leads all true freshmen wide receivers nationally with 12 receptions and is tied for first with Jalen Cooper of SMU with 172 yards. Toney had led Miami in receptions, receiving yards and targets in wins over Notre Dame and Bethune-Cookman to begin the 2025 season.
Toney had six receptions on 10 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown as Miami beat Notre Dame 27-24 in the season opener. After the win over Notre Dame, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal stated about Toney, "He's special...We were trying to keep him a secret."
Toney had six receptions on seven targets for 80 yards in the 45-3 win over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. Miami plays its final game against a non-power conference opponent in 2025 when they host South Florida on Saturday. South Florida is 18th in the Associated Press Top 25 and 23rd in the USA Today Coaches poll.
South Florida is 100th nationally, allowing 239.0 passing yards per game. With Toney quickly emerging as the top receiver for Miami, opposing defenses will adjust. Miami will have to counter-adjust how they use Toney for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Toney, who reclassified from the 2026 class to 2025, has emerged as an elite receiver before he turns 18 later in September. Toney is on pace to set Miami freshman records for receptions and receiving yards. Miami quarterback Carson Beck has quickly built chemistry with Toney as his top receiver.
The emergence of Toney as the top Miami receiver has come as a surprise to everyone except those closest to the Hurricanes. Toney has provided Beck with an explosive receiver who is most dangerous in the open field. The ceiling for the Miami offense has improved with Toney emerging.
Toney and LSU transfer C.J. Daniels, who is second to Toney with 10 receptions and 119 receiving yards and leads the Hurricanes with three touchdowns, are the only two on Miami with at least five receptions in the first two weeks. Daniels and Toney should continue to be the top two receivers for Miami in 2025.