Malachi Toney vs. Jermiah Smith: Ohio State, Miami stars declare Heisman War on each other in Week 1 wins

Malachi Toney vs. Jermiah Smith: Ohio State, Miami stars declare Heisman War on each other in Week 1 wins

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Malachi Toney vs. Jermiah Smith: Ohio State, Miami stars declare Heisman War on each other in Week 1 wins

Malachi Toney vs. Jermiah Smith: Ohio State, Miami stars declare Heisman War on each other in Week 1 wins originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's easy to overreact a bit to Week 1 results in college football. But it took just one game for Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith to vault themselves into the Heisman race.

Both players helped their teams earn blowout victories, as Miami went on the road and took care of Stanford 45-6 on Friday night, while Ohio State beat Ball State 56-3.

While neither team played particularly tough opponents, both guys put on a show. Here's a look at how both wideouts have made themselves Heisman frontrunners early.

MORE: Malachi Toney breaks school records in Miami's Week 1 win

Malachi Toney and Jermiah Smith hit Heisman pose in Week 1 wins

Malachi Toney got things started early for Miami on Friday night. He made his presence known on literally the Canes' first play of the night, putting a Stanford safety on skates and hauling in a monster 48-yard catch from his new quarterback, Duke transfer Darian Mensah. 

On the same drive, he scored Miami's first touchdown pass, getting a 23-yard touchdown reception, complete with a flash of the Heisman pose: 

But he wasn't done there. On Miami's ensuing possession, he scored the Canes' next touchdown on a two-yard reception: 

The Stanford secondary had no answer for Toney even with second-half adjustments, as Mensah found him again for a 47-yard touchdown in the third quarter, which put the Canes up 42-6.

On the day, Toney's stat line sounded like a quarterback's box score, as he caught 12 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 19.5 yards per catch. His performance set a new school record for receiving yards, as well.

"It's just full throttle all the time," Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said of Toney after the game. "We knew he was going to be better. He gained about 10, 12 pounds of muscle, so his accels, decels, in and out of breaks, all that stuff is better, and he didn't even want to come out of the game. We're blessed to have him."

Not to be outdone, Smith had himself a day against Ball State a day later. On Ohio State's opening offensive possession, quarterback Julian Sayin found Smith for a 48-yard bomb down the right sideline. The Ball State defensive back was giving some pretty tight coverage, too:

In the second quarter, Sayin found Smith again for a two-yard score. Smith showed off an impressive toe-tap catch, getting the ball in the back of the end zone:

Smith finished Ohio State's blowout win with eight receptions for 151 yards and two scores, averaging 18.9 yards per catch. Smith made sure to make his case for the Heisman too: 

Malachi Toney, Jermiah Smith Week 1 stat comparison

Toney had the better day, but there's no question that Smith had a great outing, as well. 

Malachi Toney stats 

  • 12 receptions 
  • 234 yards receiving 
  • 3 touchdowns
  • 19.5 yards per catch 

Jeremiah Smith stats

  • 8 receptions
  • 151 yards
  •  2 touchdowns
  • 18.9 yards per catch
  • 1 rush carry for five yards

Malachi Toney and Jermiah Smith Heisman odds

According to Draft Kings, Smith has slightly better odds at +1000, compared to Toney's +1300. The two receivers are both behind the leaders in Miami quarterback Darian Mensah (+500) and Notre Dame's CJ Carr (+800). Texas quarterback  Arch Manning is right with Smith, also at +1000.  

The Heisman Trophy traditionally goes to a quarterback each and every year. The last receiver to win it was Alabama's Devonta Smith, back in 2020. It's obviously quite early in the season, but both receivers made their case to go to New York in December crystal clear.  

MORE: Early mock draft for NFL Class of 2027

Malachi Toney and Jermiah Smith career stats

Since Smith was a true freshman in 2024, he has an extra season on Toney. Across his three seasons at Ohio State, he has 171 receptions for 2,709 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 15.7 yards per catch. Toney's last season paired with his performance on Friday night puts him at 121 receptions for 1,445 yards with 13 touchdowns, averaging 11.9 yards per carry.  

An important note on Toney is that the stud is actually supposed to be a true freshman in 2026. The South Florida native reclassified in 2024 to join the Canes a whole year earlier. 

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos