The son of a former Buffalo Bills wide receiver had a monster performance in the College Football Playoff title game — though it wasn’t enough to push his team to a victory.
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney was one of the best players in Monday’s title game, showing off his electric speed and the skills that made him one of college football’s top freshmen this season. The Hurricanes fell short in their attempt to knock off the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers, but Toney made a big impression in the game.
Toney’s father, Antonio Brown, was a wide receiver and return specialist for the Bills in the early 2000s. While he was not a star like the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver of the same name, Buffalo’s Antonio Brown
Malachi Toney’s Valiant Effort
Toney had 10 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown in Monday’s 27-21 loss to the Hoosiers, the top target for quarterback Carson Beck.
Toney also had a huge game in the team’s 31-27 win over Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff semifinal, making five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown and adding 11 rushing yards.
The speedy freshman earned some big praise this season, with ESPN’s Billy Tucker ranking him as the nation’s No. 1 freshman. Tucker noted that the true freshman is still young enough to be a high school senior, but instead excelled against some of the nation’s top college football programs.
“He became Carson Beck’s most reliable target and one of the nation’s most productive receivers, ranking fourth in catches (94) while tallying 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns,” Tucker wrote. “He broke Miami’s single-season reception record against Texas A&M and already owns the program’s freshman receiving yardage mark.”
Tucker predicted that Toney has a chance to become an all-time great player at Miami.
“In their heyday, the Hurricanes cultivated a steady pipeline of star receivers including Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson,” Tucker wrote. “With secure hands, quickness after the catch and fearlessness in traffic, Toney looks like Miami’s next great playmaker and has solidified his status as one of the sport’s brightest young stars as the Hurricanes return to national prominence.”
Bills May Need Wide Receiver Help
While Toney is too young to enter the NFL Draft this year, the Bills may need to scour the college ranks to find help for their wide receiving corps. The position group struggled at times this season, leading the Bills to add veteran Brandin Cooks late in the season — and then watch him become the most reliable receiver in the playoffs.
The Bills signalled a major change in direction by firing head coach Sean McDermott on Monday, with some insiders expecting the team will bring in a stronger offensive mind for their next coach.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the Bills will make some additions to their offense, but keep their tight budget in mind.
“Wideouts like George Pickens, Alec Pierce , Jauan Jennings, and Wan’Dale Robinson may be high on Buffalo’s wish list, though the market cost of wideouts could be prohibitive,” Knox wrote. “Targeting a wideout in the draft would be the more budget-conscious move.”
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