Malachi Toney named to 2026 Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list

Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game against Mississippi, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Rick Scuteri/AP)

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — There are high hopes for the Miami Hurricanes and several of their players heading into the 2026 NCAA Football season.

One of those players is sophomore wide receiver Malachi Toney.

Fresh off a breakout freshman season, Toney has been named to the 2026 Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list.

He is one of 39 players selected to this year’s list.

The news was announced on Monday by the Louisville Sports Commission.

The Paul Hornung Award is given out annually to the player deemed “most versatile” in college football.

During his freshman season with Miami, Toney led the nation with 109 receptions, which also set a new single-season Hurricanes record. He also led all players in the ACC with 1,211 receiving yards, also a new Hurricanes record, while leading all Canes with 10 touchdown receptions.

Toney was named ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Football Writers Association of America’s Offensive Freshman of the Year while earning a first-team All-ACC selection at wide receiver.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About The Author
David Dwork

David Dwork

David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.