Malachi Toney is already one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season. The Miami freshman wide receiver leads all first-year receivers in catches and has been praised nationally as one of the best newcomers in college football. But Miami fans are just as proud of what he is doing when the cameras are off.
Malachi Toney is an even more incredible person off the field than he is on it. Reached out regarding a 10yr old boy in the hospital battling leukemia who said Toney was his favorite player and he took the time to send him a video and shout him out. Toney also does a ton of work… pic.twitter.com/R1it51m3WI
— Andrew Ferrelli (@Andrew_Ferrelli) November 16, 2025
Malachi Toney off the field
This week, a story about Toney’s quiet outreach to a young fan began circulating on social media. According to multiple posts on X from Hurricanes fans and local media, a family reached out about a 10-year-old boy in the hospital battling leukemia who had named Toney as his favorite player. Toney responded by recording a personal video message and shout-out for the child, taking time in the middle of the season to try to lift his spirits.
Long before he was lighting up Notre Dame and Florida State, Toney was spending his time with kids who had far bigger battles than running routes. Earlier this year, he was among a group of top South Florida players who visited Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, playing games and coloring with young patients facing extended stays.
Toney graduated with more than 100 hours of community service and has been a focal part of the South Florida. For Miami fans, this gesture was just another reason he is beloved within the area.
Malachi Toney on the field
Toney reclassified from the 2026 to 2025 class, graduated early from American Heritage and hit campus at 17, then immediately earned playing time. He has since been named 247Sports' True Freshman of the Week, drawn comparisons to Miami greats and topped an ESPN list of the nation's best freshmen.
Through 10 games, Toney leads all freshman receivers nationally in snaps, targets and receptions. The Miami Hurricanes sit at 8-2 and No. 13 in the CFP rankings looking for Toney to lead them through the regular season finish line.