Miami WR Malachi Toney Expected to Shatter $1.3 Million NIL Valuation
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Malachi Toney’s first year with the Miami Hurricanes rewrote record books and raised expectations for the Canes team heading into 2026.
As the team’s top offensive weapon, the freshman wide receiver led Miami to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, finishing with 109 receptions, 1,211 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, all three figures topping the ACC leaderboards.
The 109 receptions set an ACC record for freshmen, while the 1,211 receiving yards are the most by a freshman in Miami history.
Even in Miami’s 27-21 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the title game, Toney hauled in 10 catches for 122 yards and a score.
Ultimately, Toney's production earned him the FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year title from the Football Writers Association of America, about a month after he earned the ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honor.
Malachi Toney TD on a fantastic playcall.
The hometown kid that was not ranked in the top 200 of recruiting services gets the Canes right back in it again.
The best FR in America not even close.
pic.twitter.com/yYoSajcSYw— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) January 20, 2026
Toney's impact on the field will inevitably have an impact off of it, as reported by CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford on Tuesday. According to sources speaking to CBS Sports, Toney is expected to sign a new NIL contract that would position him among the highest-paid receivers in college football.
“Toney’s set for a major increase in NIL compensation with a contract expected to make him one of the highest-paid players nationally at his position in 2026,” Crawford reported, citing a source close to the negotiations.
Currently, On3 lists Toney’s NIL value at $1.3 million. That figure, however, will soon be outdated.
Crawford noted that Toney’s next deal could rival the compensation of new Texas Longhorns wideout Cam Coleman, who, according to On3's Shannon Terry, would be making "$3 to $3.5 million" after his transfer from the Auburn Tigers.
“Whatever number you had in mind … more,” a source told CBS Sports before the title game, as reported by Crawford.
Keeping Toney on the roster became one of Miami’s top offseason priorities following his explosion as a true freshman with the Hurricanes.
“Toney was Miami’s ‘first priority outside of quarterback’ for its 2026 roster plan,” Crawford wrote.
The Hurricanes finished the year with a 13-3 record and No. 2 ranking in the final AP Top 25, only trailing the Hoosiers.
Related: Mario Cristobal, Miami Lose Former 4-Star RB to Transfer Portal After Indiana Game
Related: Miami Assistant Reveals What Led to Mark Fletcher's Indiana Postgame Altercation
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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