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CORAL GABLES — Only a few months ago, Malachi Toney was making plays and helping lead American Heritage to a state championship. Now he is competing to take on a starting role for the Miami Hurricanes.
Toney, who was the Sun Sentinel’s Broward County small schools offensive co-player of the year (with teammate Dia Bell), reclassified and enrolled early at Miami so he could start his college career as soon as possible. He showed his potential Saturday, making some of the best offensive plays during UM’s annual spring game.
“I felt great,” Toney said after the game. “It was my first spring. I just felt like I went out there and (did) what I usually do: That’s just be myself with my God-given talent.”
Had he not reclassified, Toney would be getting ready for his senior year with the Patriots. Despite being one of the youngest players on the team, Toney has impressed coaches with his maturity and work ethic.
“His maturity in his preparation is what sticks out,” coach Mario Cristobal said. “It’s 5:30 in the morning, he’ll be out there catching some extra jugs. … If he makes a mistake, he’s going to come in and watch some extra film, spend time with some of the veteran players, spend time with the coaches and learn what he has to get better at. You can push him hard.”
Toney’s father, Antonio Brown (not the former Pittsburgh Steelers star), played for West Virginia before spending three seasons in the NFL with Buffalo and Washington.
“Obviously, he comes from a family with really deep South Florida football bloodlines, athletic bloodlines, disciplined bloodlines,” Cristobal said. “Great culture at home.”
Toney has had some additional help getting used to college life. Several of his former teammates — running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and cornerbacks Damari Brown and Xavier Lucas — already have a year or more of college experience under their belts.
“They just tell me to keep my head down, stay humble and keep God first,” Toney said. “Just keep going. They took me in as a younger brother, and I thank them for that.”
The Hurricanes freshman had 58 catches for 1,008 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final year of high school, and he moonlighted as his team’s quarterback when Bell suffered a season-ending injury. Toney said he has tried to adopt different aspects of his game from players he admires: Davante Adams’ release, Stefon Diggs’ route-running, Amon-Ra St. Brown’s ability after the catch, Jameson Williams’ swagger.
“I just steal different things from different players,” Toney said.
Toney is not guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. Ray Ray Joseph, a Miami Edison alum with two years of college experience, is the primary competitor for the slot receiver spot now that Xavier Restrepo is NFL-bound. Both players stood out in the spring game, and each scored a touchdown.
“They kind of look alike and they move around alike,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “Ray Ray’s just been here a long time. He’s been here two years, taking reps and all the rest. I feel comfortable with both of those guys, really.”
Toney believes he can be a game-changer in Dawson’s offense, and Cristobal said he is excited to see how the young receiver progresses.
“He knows he has a ways to go, but he’s had a great start to spring, and we’re going to push him really hard this summer to make sure we maximize his potential,” Cristobal said. “Really fired up about him and what he brings to the table.”
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Toney, who was the Sun Sentinel’s Broward County small schools offensive co-player of the year (with teammate Dia Bell), reclassified and enrolled early at Miami so he could start his college career as soon as possible. He showed his potential Saturday, making some of the best offensive plays during UM’s annual spring game.
“I felt great,” Toney said after the game. “It was my first spring. I just felt like I went out there and (did) what I usually do: That’s just be myself with my God-given talent.”
Had he not reclassified, Toney would be getting ready for his senior year with the Patriots. Despite being one of the youngest players on the team, Toney has impressed coaches with his maturity and work ethic.
“His maturity in his preparation is what sticks out,” coach Mario Cristobal said. “It’s 5:30 in the morning, he’ll be out there catching some extra jugs. … If he makes a mistake, he’s going to come in and watch some extra film, spend time with some of the veteran players, spend time with the coaches and learn what he has to get better at. You can push him hard.”
Toney’s father, Antonio Brown (not the former Pittsburgh Steelers star), played for West Virginia before spending three seasons in the NFL with Buffalo and Washington.
“Obviously, he comes from a family with really deep South Florida football bloodlines, athletic bloodlines, disciplined bloodlines,” Cristobal said. “Great culture at home.”
Toney has had some additional help getting used to college life. Several of his former teammates — running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and cornerbacks Damari Brown and Xavier Lucas — already have a year or more of college experience under their belts.
“They just tell me to keep my head down, stay humble and keep God first,” Toney said. “Just keep going. They took me in as a younger brother, and I thank them for that.”
The Hurricanes freshman had 58 catches for 1,008 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final year of high school, and he moonlighted as his team’s quarterback when Bell suffered a season-ending injury. Toney said he has tried to adopt different aspects of his game from players he admires: Davante Adams’ release, Stefon Diggs’ route-running, Amon-Ra St. Brown’s ability after the catch, Jameson Williams’ swagger.
“I just steal different things from different players,” Toney said.
Toney is not guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. Ray Ray Joseph, a Miami Edison alum with two years of college experience, is the primary competitor for the slot receiver spot now that Xavier Restrepo is NFL-bound. Both players stood out in the spring game, and each scored a touchdown.
“They kind of look alike and they move around alike,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “Ray Ray’s just been here a long time. He’s been here two years, taking reps and all the rest. I feel comfortable with both of those guys, really.”
Toney believes he can be a game-changer in Dawson’s offense, and Cristobal said he is excited to see how the young receiver progresses.
“He knows he has a ways to go, but he’s had a great start to spring, and we’re going to push him really hard this summer to make sure we maximize his potential,” Cristobal said. “Really fired up about him and what he brings to the table.”
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