Malachi Toney has already accomplished more than most players do in an entire college career, but he’s not acting like someone who’s made it. Instead, the Miami star is keeping the same mindset that’s helped him become one of the biggest names in college football.

Speaking with Ibis Media, Toney shared the approach that’s driving him heading into another season.

“I’m just getting better day by day and just keep chasing greatness.”



Those words carry a lot of weight when you look at everything Toney has already achieved. As a true freshman, he was named ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, while also earning FWAA National Offensive Freshman of the Year honors. He was recognized as a FWAA Freshman All-American, landed on the Associated Press Second-Team All-American team, earned First-Team All-ACC honors at wide receiver, Second-Team All-ACC recognition as an all-purpose player, and finished as a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.

The explosive playmaker put together one of the best freshman seasons in college football, finishing with 109 receptions for 1,211 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. He also added 113 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, while even completing 4 of 7 passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns on gadget plays, proving he could impact the game in just about every way imaginable.

That mindset is exactly what Miami wants from one of its biggest stars. Toney isn’t chasing awards anymore, he’s chasing greatness. If he continues to stack good days the way he says he has, there’s a good chance even bigger accomplishments are still ahead.

For us Miami fans, you have to be excited. The player that has won all of these awards last season isn’t done just yet.

 

Am I the only one here who is of the opinion that Malachi Toney's production numbers will be down this season?

 

Am I the only one here who is of the opinion that Malachi Toney's production numbers will be down this season?

I would not bet against that prediction. It won't be bc he played worse or anything. We just have too much firepower and he won't be getting as many touches.

 

 

I would not bet against that prediction. It won't be bc he played worse or anything. We just have too much firepower and he won't be getting as many touches.

That's exactly my thinking. I also think we'll have more blowouts and Toney will play less total plays, especially in the first half of the season.

 

That's exactly my thinking. I also think we'll have more blowouts and Toney will play less total plays, especially in the first half of the season.

Depends on exactly how you want to define it. He averaged 6.8 catches a year last year. Do you think he averages less than that this year? I think he does. I think the coaches are going to "pace" several kids this year coming off a 16 game season. Mali was pretty much our only explosive offensive player last year. I don't think that's the case this year. So I don't expect him to play 100% of the snaps. We have extreme depth in that room, and you know what you have in Mali. Last year, not only did we need him to win, but he was still learning. You're not going to rest a true freshman who is your biggest weapon. He actually needs the reps, and you're counting on him. This year, you don't need that. You can scale it back. I think maybe he winds up playing something like 80% of the snaps on offense, when you factor in garbage time. Maybe even less.

We also have an alpha target earner playing the Z, too. Barkate is going to get ~6 targets a game. It doesn't need to be the Mali show every single week.

So yeah, I'll do my final offensive projections in August, but I'm definitely already leaning on him being under 6.8 catches a game. I said a week or two in a thread, off the top of my head, I think he finishes the regular season with about ~70 catches. So slightly under 6 per game. We just have too many mouths to feed this year and IMO will be in too many blowouts with too much depth to throw the ball to him 8-9 times every single game. I also expect him to be used down the field more this year. He only averaged 11.1 yards per catch last year. Just a reminder, Xavier Restrepo playing the same position in this offense averaged 12.8 his junior year and then 16.3 his senior year with Cam Ward. So those routes are in the offense. IMO with Mensah and the maturation of Mali as a player, we get over 13+ YPC this year.

 

Am I the only one here who is of the opinion that Malachi Toney's production numbers will be down this season?

Logic would indicate you are likely correct.

With all the added offensive firepower, our Canes would probably have to score 60+/game for Lisan Al-Gaib to match his 2025 campaign.

To many players to feed. These are PROGRUM problems baby!

Question: Who scores the first receiving TD for our Canes this season? Toney? Barkate? Other?

 

Am I the only one here who is of the opinion that Malachi Toney's production numbers will be down this season?

Maybe but in this offense he is the first progression most of the time, so less catches but his yards per catch will take a big leap

 

Maybe but in this offense he is the first progression most of the time, so less catches but his yards per catch will take a big leap

That's my prediction also. All the other really good WRs we have will eat into his catch total. But along with that, the attention other WRs get should help him get more yards/catch.

 

Am I the only one here who is of the opinion that Malachi Toney's production numbers will be down this season?

Here’s why I agree…

I think this team is the best chance (on paper) to win a Natty. Because of the Mensah investment along with Fletcher the offensive distribution will look split up to ensure those two are highlighted for the next level.

But I fully believe ‘27… with going to one of our young QBs and being Mali’s last year here (because he’s not coming back) it’ll be his show fully. He’ll be the center of the offense in every well and it’ll be deserved.

 

Here’s why I agree…

I think this team is the best chance (on paper) to win a Natty. Because of the Mensah investment along with Fletcher the offensive distribution will look split up to ensure those two are highlighted for the next level.

But I fully believe ‘27… with going to one of our young QBs and being Mali’s last year here (because he’s not coming back) it’ll be his show fully. He’ll be the center of the offense in every well and it’ll be deserved.

Reasonable takes, although Im not sure that I share your thoughts on 2027. Assuming no major portal losses, the 2027 WR room will still be stacked. If im not mistaken the only senior in the room is Cooper Barkate, yes?

 

I really, really need to get him 200/200/200 in CFB27 after reading this.

Rushing/Receiving/Passing yards.

 

I don't like asking this, but he's so **** impressive in every metric you'd ask from a receiver.

How does he get better? Hands, wow, guy is glue. Elusive YAC, elite, elite, elite, elite. Speed, he's got wheels and as he matures this will naturally improve. Strength, yup, he's got that too. Route running, Richards is the only guy thud century I would say was on his level their first year. Richards and him are two of the baddest we've ever had their first year.

What's crazy to me is I really don't see a lot of potential for growth. I'm not talking stats, this dude just has it all. What can he become as his body matures is potentially scary and I think he's already scary as **** at his position.

 

Depends on exactly how you want to define it. He averaged 6.8 catches a year last year. Do you think he averages less than that this year? I think he does. I think the coaches are going to "pace" several kids this year coming off a 16 game season. Mali was pretty much our only explosive offensive player last year. I don't think that's the case this year. So I don't expect him to play 100% of the snaps. We have extreme depth in that room, and you know what you have in Mali. Last year, not only did we need him to win, but he was still learning. You're not going to rest a true freshman who is your biggest weapon. He actually needs the reps, and you're counting on him. This year, you don't need that. You can scale it back. I think maybe he winds up playing something like 80% of the snaps on offense, when you factor in garbage time. Maybe even less.

We also have an alpha target earner playing the Z, too. Barkate is going to get ~6 targets a game. It doesn't need to be the Mali show every single week.

So yeah, I'll do my final offensive projections in August, but I'm definitely already leaning on him being under 6.8 catches a game. I said a week or two in a thread, off the top of my head, I think he finishes the regular season with about ~70 catches. So slightly under 6 per game. We just have too many mouths to feed this year and IMO will be in too many blowouts with too much depth to throw the ball to him 8-9 times every single game. I also expect him to be used down the field more this year. He only averaged 11.1 yards per catch last year. Just a reminder, Xavier Restrepo playing the same position in this offense averaged 12.8 his junior year and then 16.3 his senior year with Cam Ward. So those routes are in the offense. IMO with Mensah and the maturation of Mali as a player, we get over 13+ YPC this year.

Mali being used like that will be insane, he would go 70 for 1,500. He would absolutely cook with that much space.

 

Less touches but much moar explosive plays...

Also big plays in clutch moments and back breaking plays that essentially finish games should also improve, moderately...

 

Mali being used like that will be insane, he would go 70 for 1,500. He would absolutely cook with that much space.

70 catches for 1500 yards is over 21 a catch. He’s not averaging anywhere near that.

 

70 catches for 1500 yards is over 21 a catch. He’s not averaging anywhere near that.

Yeah, I was exaggerating. My point is that role would put him in a position to really showcase his true skills. Give him that kind of space, and I think he could have a fantastic season even with less catches.

 

 

I don't like asking this, but he's so **** impressive in every metric you'd ask from a receiver.

How does he get better? Hands, wow, guy is glue. Elusive YAC, elite, elite, elite, elite. Speed, he's got wheels and as he matures this will naturally improve. Strength, yup, he's got that too. Route running, Richards is the only guy thud century I would say was on his level their first year. Richards and him are two of the baddest we've ever had their first year.

What's crazy to me is I really don't see a lot of potential for growth. I'm not talking stats, this dude just has it all. What can he become as his body matures is potentially scary and I think he's already scary as **** at his position.

Vertical route running and long speed needs improving. Mali has to prove he can be more than an underneath target run after the catch monster. We were 108th in plays of over 20 yds last year. Well behind many ACC teams.

 

Vertical route running and long speed needs improving. Mali has to prove he can be more than an underneath target run after the catch monster. We were 108th in plays of over 20 yds last year. Well behind many ACC teams.

Mali got open plenty down field last year, not even tryna bag on QB but he missed him multiple times and even turned it down also. I remember Dawson called that semi rollout play where Cam rolls out and Restrepo does an out an up (we got HUGE yrds on that play against Louisville, GT, etc.) He called it for Beck and he had Mali and didnt even throw it lol.. We scrapped it after that one try and never saw it rest of season.

Even in Ole miss game, he had Male WIDE open on first drive and threw it terribly. There are tons of tape showing mali can get down field, not even worried about. The offense last year had to be stripped down and its fine, believe it will be different this year.