Miami adds more speed and talent to the receiver room.

In this installment of The Recruiting Notebook, we meet a talented receiver who can stretch the field, and score at any time: Plantation (FL) American Heritage 4-star WR Malachi Toney.

Bio

One of the man positions on the roster that Miami continues to need an upgrade of talent (over many years, but that’s a conversation for another day) is wide receiver. To help address that issue and bridge that gap, Miami turned their recruiting attention to Plantation (FL) American Heritage WR Malachi Toney.

The 5’10.5” 182lb Toney is an electric playmaker known for his speed, quickness, and game-breaking ability. And, it didn’t take long for Toney to make a name for himself at the HS level because of those traits.

In his first game as a freshman in 2022, Toney exploded for 6 catches, 103 yards, and 2 TDs against Valdosta (GA) Lowndes. This propelled him onto the national stage as a name to know as a major national recruit.

Toney ended his freshman season with 35 catches for 621 yards and 8 TDs. Not the biggest numbers in the world, but when you consider that American Heritage offense had multiple other P5 recruits — including current Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr. — and they become slightly more impressive.

After breaking out on national TV, Toney’s offer list exploded as well. This was likely to happen anyways since American Heritage is one of the most heavily recruited teams around, but still, it’s a testament to Toney’s individual excellence. Miami, Louisville, Penn State, Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, and Ohio State were among the teams to extend offers to Toney through the fall of his freshman year.

Even with those offers, some very tempting, Toney knew where he wanted to be. He committed to Miami a week before his sophomore season started in 2023.

Through that season, Toney again showed his prowess on the field. He helped American Heritage to a 10-2 record and appearance in the Florida Class 2M (analogous to 6A) and posted 49 catches for 778 yards and 8 TDs along the way. Thru a pair of HSFB seasons, Toney had proven his worth as an elite player, and was setting the stage to build a legendary career.

The twist in this recruitment came early in Toney’s junior year….this year. After taking multiple unofficial visits to Miami, as well as trips to Auburn and Florida State, Toney announced he had reclassified up from the 2026 recruiting class to the 2025 recruiting class. Meaning that this current season was all of a sudden his SENIOR season.

And, despite Miami’s success on the field, Toney was looking at things anew after reclassifying. And, following that logic, he decommitted from Miami to be free to evaluate his options. Toney was quickly connected to Alabama, to whom he took a visit following his decommitment, and others.

But, in the end, the draw of home — and the tireless recruiting efforts of Miami WR coach Kevin Beard — were enough to show Toney his first idea was the best idea. And, just 3 and half weeks after his decommitment, Toney re-committed to Miami.

Through the regular season of his now-Senior year, Toney posted career-highs across the board: 54 catches for 964 yards and 12 TDs. That included a 96 yard touchdown catch, which is a testament to Toney’s incredible playmaking abilities.

Recruiting Ranking

On the 247sports composite, Toney is a 4-star prospect, the #30 WR nationally, #38 in the State of Florida, and #244 player overall in this class.

Toney committed to Miami over Alabama and Auburn from a list of 16 scholarship offers from around the country. This number would be even higher had he not reclassified up (which removed a year from his recruitment).

As A Player

At 5’10.5” 182lbs, Toney is average height and build. He could add some weight, but you don’t want him to bulk up too much and lose his incredible athleticism — the strength of his game.

Toney is a technician in the slot. He’s able to run a variety of routes from there, and routinely creates mismatches with linebackers, safeties, or slot defensive backs. While Toney can play outside if needed, his real value is in the slot with space to operate.

On film, Toney shows the ability to run nearly every route in the route tree. When he has the ability to run option routes in space — where he reacts to whichever way the defender goes and thusly goes the opposite direction — Toney is at his best. He’s also adept at running tunnel screens and slot fades, schemes we’ve seen Miami use over the last few years.

Like several other players on the roster, Toney has the ability to contribute on kick return and punt return. He’s done this for American Heritage, and could factor in as a returner in college as well.

The other thing about Toney: he’s young. Since he reclassified, he skipped an entire year of HS (yay for online classes to complete the credits earl). So, he’s going to be a young freshman in the mold of Miami DL Armondo Blount or Alabama WR Ryan Williams. Relative youth is a big part of potential, so that’s another item in Toney’s favor.

For another look at Toney, here’s an eval from 247sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins:

Inside receiver with the skills to emerge as a high-volume target and a go-to playmaker in a spread attack. Elected to forgo his senior year of high school and reclassify after putting up big numbers as an underclassman for one of South Florida’s top talent-producing programs. Size has not been third-party verified, but is believed to be hovering right around 5-foot-10.5, 180 pounds. Has proven to be extremely efficient working out of a slot alignment as he uses his acceleration and agility to create separation on underneath routes. Advanced eye control and soft hands can lead to highlight-reel worthy grabs. Might not win every foot race, but is evasive after the catch and can avoid would-be tacklers with his quick feet. Will likely face a major adjustment period as he will initially be one of the youngest players on the college roster of his choice, but projects as a potential impact player on Saturdays if he can keep progressing and fine-tuning his craft. Ability to deliver in key moments throughout his football career despite not being the biggest or fastest shouldn’t be overlooked.

Strengths

• Quickness
• Incredible productivity (28 TDs in 3 HSFB seasons heading into senior playoffs)
• Great technique
• Plays big in the biggest moments
• Youth

Weaknesses

• Average size and build
• Blocking
• Average speed

Miami Outlook

Note: changed this up from just a freshman-season outlook to a career outlook for each player a few years ago and we’re continuing that style this year as well.

Miami continues to rebuild the depth, talent, and performance at wide receiver. Getting Toney to reclassify up to 2025, and also shut down Alabama’s flip attempt after his fall decommitment, is a boon for the Miami receiver room. Toney is a Navy All-American for his dynamic HSFB performance, and continues to change the makeup of the receiver room in a good way.

With Miami’s career catch and receiving yardage leader — Xavier Restrepo — departing the roster, there is plenty of room for other players, including Toney, to step up into bigger roles. Toney will likely figure into this equation down the line, but his ability to get acclimated to the college level will determine how soon that happens. Still, I see a rotation role in Toney’s future at a minimum, with a star turn equally possible.

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That’s it for this installment of The Recruiting Notebook.

Go Canes