If you’ve spent any time watching the Miami Hurricanes lately, you’ve probably seen #10 making people look silly on the field. The kid is electric. Naturally, the second his name flashes across the bottom of the screen, everyone starts typing the same thing into Google: is Malachi Toney related to Kadarius Toney? It makes sense. They’re both wide receivers. They both have that "blink and you'll miss him" twitchiness. They both played high-level ball in the state of Florida. But here is the short, honest answer: No, Malachi Toney is not related to Kadarius Toney.
They aren't brothers. They aren't cousins. Honestly, they don't even know each other that well. It's just one of those weird coincidences where a specific surname becomes synonymous with a specific position in a specific state. While Kadarius was making defenders miss in Gainesville and later in the NFL, Malachi was just a middle schooler in Fort Lauderdale beginning his own journey.
The Confusion Around Malachi Toney Related to Kadarius Toney
People love a good legacy story. We’ve seen the Durants, the Watts, and the Beryls. So when Malachi Toney reclassified and started lighting up the ACC as a true freshman, the rumor mill went into overdrive.
Kadarius Toney, for better or worse, is a household name. Between his first-round draft status with the Giants and those wild, high-stakes moments with the Kansas City Chiefs, he’s constantly in the headlines. When Malachi started putting up record-breaking numbers at Miami, fans just assumed the "Toney" gene pool was at it again.
Where the paths actually diverge
The geographical roots are totally different. Kadarius is a pride of Mobile, Alabama. He’s a "Bama kid" who traveled south to play for the Florida Gators.
Malachi, on the other hand, is a South Florida native through and through. He grew up in the 305/954 area, starred at American Heritage in Plantation, and chose to stay home with Mario Cristobal and the Canes. If they were related, you’d expect some overlap in their hometowns or high school tracks, but there just isn't any.
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Wait, He DOES Have an NFL Dad (But Not That One)
Now, here is where it gets actually confusing. Malachi does have a famous football father. His dad is Antonio Brown.
Wait! Stop. Not that Antonio Brown.
It’s almost like Malachi’s life is designed to confuse sports fans. His father is the "original" Antonio Brown—a wide receiver who played for West Virginia before a stint in the CFL and a three-year NFL career with the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) in the early 2000s.
"My dad taught me the work ethic," Malachi has mentioned in various interviews. "People see the name and think one thing, but we’re just out here building our own brand."
The elder Antonio Brown was more of a special teams ace and return specialist, but he clearly passed down the "get-gone" speed to his son. So while the Malachi Toney related to Kadarius Toney search might be a dead end, his actual bloodline is still pure professional athlete.
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Malachi is Blazing His Own Trail in 2026
If you're still stuck on the last name, you're missing the real story. Malachi Toney is currently doing things as an 18-year-old that most seniors can't pull off.
Think about this: he reclassified to graduate high school early. He was supposed to be at prom; instead, he was catching 99 passes for the Hurricanes and breaking single-season school records. He didn't just play; he dominated. He became the ACC Rookie of the Year and has already landed on early 2026 Heisman Trophy watch lists.
Why the comparison actually hurts
In some ways, being linked to Kadarius Toney is a bit of a backhanded compliment. Kadarius is known for being an "injury-prone human joystick"—someone with world-class talent but a lot of inconsistency.
Malachi has shown a level of polish and reliability that is frankly scary for someone his age. His teammates call him "Baby Jesus." That’s a heavy nickname to carry, but when you’re leading the nation’s freshmen in yards and touchdowns, you’ve earned a bit of hyperbole.
Comparing the Two Players
Even though they aren't family, it’s fun to look at how they play. Football nerds love the "player comp" game.
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- Kadarius Toney: Pure chaos. His movements look like a glitch in a video game. He’s more of a "gadget" weapon who can break a game open but might also struggle with the nuances of a complex route tree.
- Malachi Toney: Refined. He has the same speed, sure, but his hands are more consistent. He plays much bigger than his 5-foot-11 frame. He’s already shown he can throw the ball (two passing TDs this year) and run it, but his bread and butter is being a true WR1.
Honestly, Malachi’s game looks a bit more like a young DeVonta Smith or even a more explosive version of his father's old teammates. He’s a technician.
What’s Next for the "Other" Toney?
As we head deeper into 2026, expect the "Are they related?" questions to die down. Success has a way of silencing the noise. Malachi is currently preparing for a National Championship run with Miami, and his draft stock is already being whispered about in NFL circles for the future.
If you’re a fan, here is what you should actually be watching for:
- Versatility: Watch how Miami uses him in the red zone. They’ve lined him up at quarterback more than a few times.
- NIL Growth: He’s already one of the highest earners in the Miami locker room. He recently bought his family Louis Vuitton gifts after his first big check—he’s taking care of his people.
- Heisman Hype: If he keeps up this pace, he could be the first wide receiver in a long time to really push for the trophy.
So, next time you're at a watch party and someone says, "Hey, isn't that Kadarius Toney's brother?" you can be the smart one in the room. You can tell them about the West Virginia Antonio Brown. You can tell them about American Heritage. Basically, you can tell them that Malachi is just Malachi—and that’s more than enough.
Your next move? Keep a close eye on the 2026 Heisman odds. If Malachi stays healthy, those early-season bets are going to look very, very smart by December. Check the Miami depth charts before the next game to see if he’s still handling punt return duties, as that's where he stacks up those "Heisman moment" yards.