On this installment of The Recruiting Pocket book, we meet a proficient receiver who can stretch the sphere, and rating at any time: Plantation (FL) American Heritage 4-star WR Malachi Toney.
One of many man positions on the roster that Miami continues to want an improve of expertise (over a few years, however that’s a dialog for an additional day) is broad receiver. To assist deal with that situation and bridge that hole, Miami turned their recruiting consideration to Plantation (FL) American Heritage WR Malachi Toney.
The 5’10.5” 182lb Toney is an electrical playmaker identified for his velocity, quickness, and game-breaking means. And, it didn’t take lengthy for Toney to make a reputation for himself on the HS stage due to these traits.
In his first sport as a freshman in 2022, Toney exploded for six catches, 103 yards, and a pair of TDs in opposition to Valdosta (GA) Lowndes. This propelled him onto the nationwide stage as a reputation to know as a significant nationwide recruit.
Toney ended his freshman season with 35 catches for 621 yards and eight TDs. Not the largest numbers on the planet, however when you think about that American Heritage offense had a number of different P5 recruits — together with present Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr. — they usually turn into barely extra spectacular.
After breaking out on nationwide TV, Toney’s provide checklist exploded as effectively. This was prone to occur in any case since American Heritage is among the most closely recruited groups round, however nonetheless, it’s a testomony to Toney’s particular person excellence. Miami, Louisville, Penn State, Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, and Ohio State had been among the many groups to increase presents to Toney by way of the autumn of his freshman yr.
Even with these presents, some very tempting, Toney knew the place he wished to be. He dedicated to Miami per week earlier than his sophomore season began in 2023.
By means of that season, Toney once more confirmed his prowess on the sphere. He helped American Heritage to a 10-2 report and look within the Florida Class 2M (analogous to 6A) and posted 49 catches for 778 yards and eight TDs alongside the best way. Via a pair of HSFB seasons, Toney had confirmed his price as an elite participant, and was setting the stage to construct a legendary profession.
The twist on this recruitment got here early in Toney’s junior yr….this yr. After taking a number of unofficial visits to Miami, in addition to journeys to Auburn and Florida State, Toney introduced he had reclassified up from the 2026 recruiting class to the 2025 recruiting class. Which means that this present season was swiftly his SENIOR season.
And, regardless of Miami’s success on the sphere, Toney was taking a look at issues anew after reclassifying. And, following that logic, he decommitted from Miami to be free to judge his choices. Toney was rapidly linked to Alabama, to whom he took a go to following his decommitment, and others.
However, in the long run, the draw of dwelling — and the tireless recruiting efforts of Miami WR coach Kevin Beard — had been sufficient to indicate Toney his first concept was the perfect concept. And, simply 3 and half weeks after his decommitment, Toney re-committed to Miami.
By means of the common season of his now-Senior yr, Toney posted career-highs throughout the board: 54 catches for 964 yards and 12 TDs. That included a 96 yard landing catch, which is a testomony to Toney’s unimaginable playmaking talents.
On the 247sports composite, Toney is a 4-star prospect, the #30 WR nationally, #38 within the State of Florida, and #244 participant total on this class.
Toney dedicated to Miami over Alabama and Auburn from an inventory of 16 scholarship presents from across the nation. This quantity can be even increased had he not reclassified up (which eliminated a yr from his recruitment).
At 5’10.5” 182lbs, Toney is common peak and construct. He may add some weight, however you don’t need him to bulk up an excessive amount of and lose his unimaginable athleticism — the power of his sport.
Toney is a technician within the slot. He’s in a position to run quite a lot of routes from there, and routinely creates mismatches with linebackers, safeties, or slot defensive backs. Whereas Toney can play outdoors if wanted, his actual worth is within the slot with house to function.
On movie, Toney reveals the power to run practically each route within the route tree. When he has the power to run possibility routes in house — the place he reacts to whichever method the defender goes and thusly goes the other way — Toney is at his greatest. He’s additionally adept at working tunnel screens and slot fades, schemes we’ve seen Miami use over the previous couple of years.
Like a number of different gamers on the roster, Toney has the power to contribute on kick return and punt return. He’s executed this for American Heritage, and will consider as a returner in faculty as effectively.
The opposite factor about Toney: he’s younger. Since he reclassified, he skipped a whole yr of HS (yay for on-line lessons to finish the credit earl). So, he’s going to be a younger freshman within the mould of Miami DL Armondo Blount or Alabama WR Ryan Williams. Relative youth is a giant a part of potential, in order that’s one other merchandise in Toney’s favor.
For one more have a look at Toney, right here’s an eval from 247sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins:
Inside receiver with the talents to emerge as a high-volume goal and a go-to playmaker in a diffusion assault. Elected to forgo his senior yr of highschool and reclassify after placing up massive numbers as an underclassman for one in all South Florida’s high talent-producing packages. Measurement has not been third-party verified, however is believed to be hovering proper round 5-foot-10.5, 180 kilos. Has confirmed to be extraordinarily environment friendly understanding of a slot alignment as he makes use of his acceleration and agility to create separation on beneath routes. Superior eye management and tender palms can result in highlight-reel worthy grabs. May not win each foot race, however is evasive after the catch and might keep away from would-be tacklers along with his fast ft. Will doubtless face a significant adjustment interval as he’ll initially be one of many youngest gamers on the faculty roster of his selection, however initiatives as a possible affect participant on Saturdays if he can hold progressing and fine-tuning his craft. Capacity to ship in key moments all through his soccer profession regardless of not being the largest or quickest shouldn’t be missed.
Strengths
- Quickness
- Unbelievable productiveness (28 TDs in 3 HSFB seasons heading into senior playoffs)
- Nice approach
- Performs massive within the largest moments
- Youth
Weaknesses
- Common dimension and construct
- Blocking
- Common velocity
Notice: modified this up from only a freshman-season outlook to a profession outlook for every participant a number of years in the past and we’re persevering with that fashion this yr as effectively.
Miami continues to rebuild the depth, expertise, and efficiency at broad receiver. Getting Toney to reclassify as much as 2025, and likewise shut down Alabama’s flip try after his fall decommitment, is a boon for the Miami receiver room. Toney is a Navy All-American for his dynamic HSFB efficiency, and continues to alter the make-up of the receiver room in a great way.
With Miami’s profession catch and receiving yardage chief — Xavier Restrepo — departing the roster, there’s loads of room for different gamers, together with Toney, to step up into greater roles. Toney will doubtless determine into this equation down the road, however his means to get acclimated to the faculty stage will decide how quickly that occurs. Nonetheless, I see a rotation position in Toney’s future at a minimal, with a star flip equally attainable.
That’s it for this installment of The Recruiting Pocket book.