Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney has signed a new Name, Image, and Likeness deal with Red Bull. This news comes as the sophomore star continues to build his brand alongside his massive success on the football field.
The deal brings Toney into a group of top college athletes working with the energy drink brand. According to Yahoo Sports , he joins players like Arch Manning from Texas and Jermiah Smith from Ohio State in the company's elite roster. It is a big move for a player who is already making waves in the ACC.
Toney is not just making money; he is making history in the Hurricanes' record books. His stats from his first year in college were quite something to see. He led all FBS players last season with 109 catches and 1,211 yards. He also found the end zone 12 times through various ways:
10 receiving touchdowns
2 passing touchdowns
1 rushing touchdown
I remember thinking he might see fewer targets this year because Miami added more depth to the wide receiver room. I was wrong. The ball still finds him. In a recent 45-6 win against Stanford, he set a new school record for the most receiving yards in one game. He scored three touchdowns. He is simply too good to ignore.
This Red Bull deal is the second big piece of news for Toney in a short time. Just one month ago, he secured a deal with Adidas. It is interesting to see how he manages these different partnerships while playing at a high level. He is now part of a group that includes Dakorien Moore from Oregon and DJ Lagway from Baylor.
Toney is clearly using his talent to build a professional image. He is a sophomore who is already playing like a veteran. He is also part of an offense that is currently the highest-scoring in the FBS. The team averages 49.6 points through their first five games this season. It is hard not to notice a player when he is part of such a dominant group.
The big picture here is about what happens next for the Liberty City native. Toney is not just playing for today. After the 2027 college football season, he will become eligible for the NFL Draft for the first time. That means every game he plays now is a step toward the professional ranks. He has already shown he can handle the pressure of the big stage. Last year, he scored in nearly every College Football Playoff game, with the exception of the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal against Ohio State.
His connection with quarterback Darian Mensah is also a huge part of why the Hurricanes are 5-0. They are both playing well enough to build real cases for the Heisman Trophy. With seven games left in the regular season, the pressure is on. If Toney keeps playing like this, his brand will only keep growing alongside his stats.
