Miami has turned around from its disappointing end to the last season. Sitting at No. 2 in the latest AP Poll, the Canes have so far taken down three ranked opponents. The Week 6 casualty was their in-state rival, Florida State. Georgia transfer Carson Beck continues to impress, and their defense just looks like a different deal every week. But there’s a rookie Hurricane on the field who’s been a great help to his QB.

Malachi Toney is paving his way to greatness as well. In just five career outings on the gridiron, this Miami player might be the best freshman talent in college football. A reason why Carson Beck struggled last year was due to poor receiver play. At Miami, he’s struck a rhythm with newbie WR, Malachi Toney. He was simply brilliant against archrivals FSU, hauling in a career best 107 yards on just 7 receptions. Toney also hauled in 2 scores against the Noles.

“[Malachi Toney’s] entered that conversation for one of the best receivers in the country, and he’s probably the best freshman football player in the country,” David Pollack said in an October 5 episode of See Ball Get Ball. Toney was a 3-star recruit, and he signed into a receiving corps that lost the majority of its production to the NFL. Now, he’s become Carson Beck’s prime target on the field. After that show of skill, Malachi Toney now leads the receivers with a total of 375 yards. He’s even left behind veteran WR CJ Daniels, who was the expected leader before the season.

“I think the thing that’s most impressive with him is he can catch the short ball, and he can take it to the house. He even slipped on one of those touchdowns he caught and still took it to the house,” Pollack added. You don’t have to look past Toney’s heroics in the FSU game to get a picture of how good he is.

Carson Beck pulled a flea-flicker, sending the ball through 44 yards in the air, and into Toney’s waiting hands for a TD. The star WR is going to go a long way at Coral Gables. The phenomenal run against the Seminoles even had Miami icon Michael Irvin echo the same sentiment as Pollack.

Michael Irvin declares Malachi Toney the best freshman “ever”

Miami now rules Florida, having beaten all in-state rivals this season. Right in the hubbub of its star players is Malachi Toney. Miami legend and NFL star Michael Irvin took a moment to personally congratulate the WR, pulling him in for a hug. “One of the best freshmen I’ve ever seen. One of the best freshmen we’ve ever seen. Ever. Not just (now). Ever,” he told CBS Sports.

That’s game recognizing game. Toney’s best play from the FSU game was sadly overruled due to an illegal motion. A 52-yard pass from Beck and a rush for the end zone were his highlights from the wild night. But Malachi Toney is no longer a budding star; he is already one of Miami’s brightest. “[If] everybody did what Malachi does, their performance levels would go through the roof,” HC Mario Cristobal said in his praise for the WR.

Wide receivers were a huge doubt for Cristobal when he was entering the game. Now, the leader of the room is an 18-year-old, Malachi Toney. Miami is well on its way to booking a playoff spot this season. And we sure will get to see the star WR pull off more moves that leave other elite rookies far behind him.