Malachi Toney's stellar season lands him College Football 27 cover

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Safe to say there are expectations for Malachi Toney after a record-setting freshman season. The Miami football star will be one of three cover athletes for College Football 27, the latest installment of EA Sports' wildly popular video game series.

Orlando-based EA Sports made the news official June 2 with a teaser for the game's first look June 4. Toney flashes the iconic U front and center on the image, flanked by Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. He is off the shoulder of Indiana coach Curt Cignetti on the Deluxe Edition cover, joined by Texas defensive end Colin Simmons, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. Toney shared some behind-the-scenes clips and pictures from the photo shoot on his Instagram page.

It's the first time dating back to EA's original run of college football games dating to 1996 that a Hurricane will grace the cover. Florida has had two cover athletes (Danny Wuerffel on NCAA Football 98 and Tim Tebow on NCAA Football 11) and Florida State boasts one (Chris Weinke on NCAA Football 2002).

“Having this opportunity after only my freshman year means everything to me," Toney said in an EA Sports news release. "I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the Miami community, and this honor of knowing EA believes in what I’m capable of deepens my drive to show up for the program and the fans who have believed in me from day one,”

Toney got the nod after bursting onto the scene as Miami's explosive do-everything offensive weapon as a 17-year-old freshman who would go on to lead the nation and break the school record with 109 catches. The Liberty City native also broke the Canes record with 1,211 receiving yards, good for fifth in the country. He accounted for 13 total touchdowns: 10 receiving, one rushing and two passing (he played quarterback at American Heritage High School). If that's not enough, he also terrified punt units with dazzling plays as a returner, mostly notably coming within 5 yards of a return touchdown in the College Football Playoff at Texas A&M.

With Toney as the game-changing playmaker, the Hurricanes went 10-2 in the regular season and made the CFP for the first time after just missing out the year prior. The freshman was quiet over UM's first two playoff games, though he still scored the only touchdown in a 10-3 road win at the Aggies. But he found his groove in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal against Lacy's Rebels with 92 total yards and a 36-yard catch-and-run touchdown to punch Miami's ticket to the national championship game. In front of his hometown fans, Toney led all receivers with 10 receptions for 122 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown in a losing effort to Indiana and fellow South Florida native Fernando Mendoza.

The cover announcement also gave fans a glimpse at Toney's new look for the upcoming season. After sporting No. 10 last year, the most dangerous player on the Canes will be wearing No. 1 for the 2026-27 season. That number was worn last year by fellow wideout Joshisa Trader, who transferred to North Carolina State.

Toney will have a new QB this season, with Duke transfer Darian Mensah replacing the graduated Carson Beck. Miami opens the season at Stanford on Sept. 4.

College Football 27 release date

The news release June 2 said the game will be available for EA Play members for a 10-hour early access trial July 2, while the EA Play Pro Edition will be available starting July 6. More details will be announced during EA's Opening Drive reveal set for 8 p.m. ET Thursday, June 4.

(This story was updated with further information on the game's release date and to add a statement from Toney.)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami football's Malachi Toney on EA Sports College Football 27 cover

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