Few freshmen, if any, have been as impactful for their college football team this season than Malachi Toney has been for the Miami Hurricanes. The talented wide receiver has emerged as one of the game's bright, young stars. Absolutely electrifying with the ball in his hands, what can this kid not do? It is why offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson only feels Miami is scratching the surface with him...
He talked glowingly about Toney in the lead-up to Miami's first playoff game at Texas A&M Saturday.
"This kid can do a lot more. So let's push the limits of what we can do with him."
Dawson then called the formation where Toney is in at quarterback for the Canes, "The MALI-cat".
Canes offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson on how the role for Malachi Toney has grown during the season:
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 15, 2025
“This kid can do a lot more. So let’s push the limits of what we can do with him.”
He calls the formation where Toney is at QB “the MALI-cat.” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/D4kyrmu3BE
In his first season with the Hurricanes, Toney has 84 receptions for 970 yards and seven touchdown catches. As a runner, he has 17 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. As a return specialist, he has fielded 13 punts for 187 yards. And as a passer, Toney has completed four of six attempts for 82 yards and two touchdowns. The guy can simply do it all, and he is only a freshman as well. Insane!
These comments from Dawson signify that Miami is bound to be playoff-caliber once again in 2026.
Shannon Dawson can't wait to see what Malachi Toney can do in year two
While this is Miami's first-ever trip to the College Football Playoff, it will be Carson Beck's only playoff run leading the Canes out of the tunnel. He will have exhausted all of his eligibility at the end of this season. The good news for Miami is the Hurricanes remain a heavy favorite to land promising players in the portal at quarterback. More importantly, it does not look like Dawson or Toney are leaving yet.
Dawson had been up for the head-coaching vacancy at Tulane before the Green Wave shockingly decided to promote failed former Southern Miss head coach Will Hall from within to replace Jon Sumrall, who is on his way out the door to Florida at the end of the Greenies' playoff run. So, in theory, having Dawson back for another season could do wonders to help Toney be a Heisman candidate.
Of course, Jeremiah Smith still has one more year of required eligibility before he could conceivably turn pro out of Ohio State. Smith is the greatness that Toney is chasing from a pure receiving standpoint. That being said, maybe Dawson can devise more unique and creative ways to get his most talented player the ball more, now in the playoff, and once again next year during the season.
In the end, Toney has roughly two more years to become Miami's third Heisman Trophy winner. He may not play quarterback like he did in high school, but he could join Miami legends Vinny Testaverde and Gino Torretta in that regard. Right now, the stage is set for Toney to do something extraordinarily special at Kyle Field on Saturday afternoon. This is untrodden territory for both schools, so be ready.
For now, Miami is one of the most dangerous first-round teams in this year's College Football Playoff.