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Miami’s Malachi Toney has emerged as one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football this season, and he still has two seasons of eligibility left.
The true freshman from nearby American Heritage High School leads the Hurricanes with 84 receptions for 970 yards with seven touchdowns this season, becoming Carson Beck’s go-to target in 2025. He’ll play a huge role in Miami’s first-round College Football Playoff matchup on the road at No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1) on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Toney is playing his best football of the season at the right time, as well. He caught 13 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s 38-7 win over Pitt in the regular season finale, after finishing with 12 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown in a win over Virginia Tech the week prior.
Here’s everything to know of Miami’s top weapon ahead of its CFP matchup against the Aggies.
Who is Malachi Toney?
Toney opened the season at 17 years old, reclassifying from the 2026 recruiting class to enroll early at Miami. The should-be high school senior made it clear he was ready to play from the jump, catching six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in the Hurricanes’ season-opening win over Notre Dame.
Toney wasn’t a can’t-miss prospect according to recruiting sites, either. He was a four-star recruit in the 2025 class, tabbed as the No. 359 player nationally and No. 49 receiver, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He was also the No. 51 player in Florida and held offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Ohio State, among others.
Toney was nothing short of prolific in high school, leading American Heritage High to a state championship in his final season in 2024. He caught 58 passes for 1,008 yards with 12 touchdowns as a junior, also rushing for 224 yards and three touchdowns on 54 carries.
He even filled in at quarterback, after five-star Texas signee Dia Bell went down with an injury. He threw for 510 yards and seven touchdowns in three starts during the playoff run.
His background as a quarterback even came in handy in 2025 at Miami, completing 4 of 6 passes for 82 yards with two touchdowns in trick-play situations.
Toney was so electric as an offensive player growing up, he was nicknamed “Baby Jesus” by one of his youth coaches, and the nickname has stuck ever since. It even made it to coach Mario Cristobal during spring practices at Miami.
“They keep calling him Baby Jesus,” Cristobal told reporters in the spring. “You guys know who I’m talking about, right?”
Malachi Toney age
Toney turned 18 years old in September, starting his true freshman season as a 17-year-old after reclassifying from Miami’s 2026 recruiting class to its 2025 class. He skipped his senior season at American Heritage High School in Florida to play at Miami early.
Malachi Toney recruiting ranking
Here’s a look at Toney’s recruiting ranking out of high school, per 247Sports’ Composite ratings.
- Stars: 4
- National rating: No. 359
- Receiver rating: No. 49
- Florida ranking: No. 51
Malachi Toney stats
Here are Toney’s stats this season as a first-year player:
- Receiving: 84 receptions for 970 yards with seven touchdowns (11.5 yards per reception)
- Rushing: 17 carries for 89 yards with a touchdown
- Passing: 4 of 6 for 82 yards with two touchdowns
