Why Jeremiah Smith is paying close attention to Miami star Malachi Toney

Jeremiah Smith says he keeps a close eye on Miami receiver Malachi Toney after Toney’s recent surge for the Hurricanes. Smith made the comments after breaking the Ohio State receiving yards record in the Buckeyes’ Sept. 19 win over Kent State. Toney followed up a 33-20 victory over Wake Forest by posting big production, and Smith acknowledged the friendly comparisons—calling it “little friendly competition” as he tries to match Toney’s week-to-week output. Toney, a former four-star recruit from American Heritage High School in Fort Lauderdale, leads top national receiving conversations, including Heisman chatter. Through three weeks of 2026, both Smith and Toney rank among the top non-quarterbacks for odds.