Quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney have been unstoppable for the Miami Hurricanes’ offense this season. Mensah leads the nation in touchdowns passes (14) and quarterback rating (93.9), while Toney ranks third in both receptions (34) and receiving yards (564) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (six).
In their most recent game against Central Michigan, Mensah completed 23-of-27 passes for 338 yards and three passing touchdowns and ran for 21 yards and a rushing score, and Toney hauled in six receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. Mensah also became the first FBS passer in the last 30 years to have more touchdown passes than incompletions (12) through his first four games, according to CBS Sports. His efficiency this year has been extraordinary.
“He spread the ball around pretty good as well,” Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal said to reporters about Mensah after the Central Michigan game. “He extended plays, great pocket presence. [He was] protected pretty well, but a couple of times when it got sticky he found a way. He used his feet tonight in an awesome manner.”
Both Mensah and Toney, as a result of their respective hot starts, are in the mix for college football’s most prestigious award after Week 4.
According to DraftKings (as of Tuesday morning), Mensah has +350 odds to win the Heisman Trophy, trailing only Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (+270). As for Toney (+1900), he’s more of a long shot. He does, however, rank third nationally in Heisman odds for non-quarterbacks behind Smith and Florida running back Jadan Baugh.
“He’s just steady,” Dawson said to reporters on Monday when asked about Toney. “Every week, he brings the same energy and same intensity to every practice and every game.”
Miami’s Week 5 opponent – Clemson – features a talented secondary that is capable of challenging the dynamic QB-WR duo. Ashton Hampton has allowed just nine completions on 26 targets this season and is a projected first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, while Elliot Washington II ranks second in the nation with three interceptions.
If Mensah and Toney can excel in this primetime matchup against the Tigers, expect their Heisman odds to improve.
