4-star ‘Canes commit will watch the Gators closely this season

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA — Although he’s only entering his junior season, 4-star receiver Malachi Toney of Plantation (Fla) American Heritage already has established himself as one of the top playmakers in the Sunshine State. In two years of varsity football, Toney has recorded 84 catches for 1,394 yards and 16 touchdowns. With Texas commit Dia Bell , the highest-rated quarterback in Florida, throwing him passes, Toney’s success should continue.

As one would expect, Toney is on Florida’s radar. But, he’s also currently a Miami Hurricanes commit.

“Of course I’m locked in. But anything can happen,” Toney told Gators Online.

Malachi Toney is one of the top junior receivers in the country

Toney, listed at 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, is the No. 38 receiver in the 2026 class for the On3 Industry Rankings. He committed to Miami 12 months ago. Many schools still are pursuing him.

“Of course Florida, Oregon, Penn State, Syracuse, Georgia — really everybody,” Toney said. “(The Florida coaches) talk to me here and there. The coaches pretty much text me every other day. They’re still building that relationship.”

Toney called his interest in the Gators “high.”

“When I went up there they showed me great love,” Toney said. “Coach ( Billy) Napier , he treated me like I was one of the players already. They came to practice this spring. I text with (receivers coach Billy Gonzales ). He says he’s always going to recruit me and stuff like that. Reassuring me that Florida is always home for me if I was to ever de-commit from Miami.”

According to Toney, he doesn’t yet know much about DJ Lagway , Florida’s likely quarterback of the future. But he is a fan of Gators receiver Andy Jean , a South Florida native. Toney said he’s likely to attend the Florida-Miami game at The Swamp on Aug. 31 — and possibly one or two others in Gainesville

What does he want to see from the Gators this season?

“Just winning. A winning program. That’s really it,” Toney told Gators Online. “I’m going to be watching them pretty close. I just want to see them win to be honest. And develop (receivers).”

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