Carson Beck still hasn’t taken a live snap in a Miami Hurricanes uniform, with spring football almost in the books. The questions around his health and, more importantly, his fit are only getting louder. Head coach Mario Cristobal hasn’t rushed his new quarterback back onto the field. He isn’t exactly sure whether the QB will be 100%. The former Georgia Bulldog arrived with expectations the size of Hard Rock Stadium, but right now, all eyes are on what Miami will look like around Beck. Because if the Canes want to maximize what they’ve got under center in 2025, they’ll need more than just a healthy QB. They’ll need a dynamic, reliable supporting cast.

And it looks like they may have found a catalyst for that vision. Freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney is already turning heads, and On3’s J.D. PicKell sees more than just potential. He sees a future star. “It’s early on,” PicKell said, “but I love what we’re hearing around him. Love what we’re seeing from him. Malachi Toney to me kind of a throwback receiver when you speak about Miami and what they’ve had at that position. Local kid, lot of confidence, lot of swag to himself.” Toney, the son of former NFL star Antonio ‘DayLa’ Brown, isn’t just catching passes—he’s catching attention. And not quietly, either. “My first introduction to him was him essentially talking his cash on national TV after catching his first ever touchdown in the high school uniform. I love the juice right there,” PicKell added.

That swagger might just be the perfect match for Carson Beck. Who arrives in Coral Gables carrying the weight of being the guy for the post-Cam Ward era. For Miami to seriously contend, it’s not enough for Beck to manage games—he has to tilt the field. And that requires weapons who can stretch it. “In 2025, no more Cam Ward. So what do you got to have? You’ve got to have Carson Beck step up,” PicKell said. “Same thing we said about Cam Ward is true for Carson Beck. You can only expect as much from them as they have around them.” And Toney?

He’s already flashing separation skills that hint at a breakout role. “Seeing Toney stretch the field and have nobody around him, that makes me feel a lot better about the potential to maximize what Carson Beck brings to the table,” PicKell noted. That last part is important—because Beck’s ceiling isn’t a mystery. His Georgia tape showed polish, poise, and arm talent, but “he probably didn’t have what he needed around him,” PicKell emphasized. “You led America in drops if you were Georgia.”

Still, one freshman doesn’t make a room. And Miami’s wide receiver corps is full of young, hungry talent—but also inconsistency. With Ray Ray Joseph entering his junior year and Joshisa Trader and Ny Carr coming back as sophomores. There’s no shortage of athleticism. Add freshmen like Joshua Moore, Daylyn Upshaw, and of course, Toney, and the Hurricanes are cooking with gas. But Mario Cristobal isn’t lighting the match just yet. “I see a lot of ability and I see flashes, and I see guys that need a ton of work,” Cristobal said.

“We’re not consistent enough. We make some spectacular, splash plays, and then other times it’s a little bit head-scratching.” That kind of volatility isn’t unusual for young receivers, but Cristobal made it clear: growing pains are no excuse. “They need to get pushed, and we’re going to push them. They don’t have a problem getting pushed, but when you have to be the guy, it’s different.”

Cristobal’s tone was measured but firm. He knows what’s at stake. With no proven WR1 and a new quarterback still getting healthy, the pressure is squarely on the development of this young receiver group. “We’re going to pour on them,” Cristobal said, underlining that the staff will demand maturity, not just potential. The days of coasting on recruiting stars are over.

So as Beck inches toward full health, the spotlight will start to shift from the rehab room to the receiver room. Because for the Hurricanes to finally turn the corner and shake off the inconsistency that’s plagued the program for years. It won’t just be about who throws the ball—it’ll be about who’s ready to go get it.

No Spring Game slinging for Carson Beck, but Cristobal’s still buzzing

Don’t expect to see Cam’s backup slinging spirals in the spring game anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean the buzz around him is slowing down. Coach Cristobal recently gave an encouraging update on Carson Beck’s rehab journey. And while he’s not game-ready just yet, things seem to be trending in the right direction.

“I don’t know. I know he’s throwing some other things, you know, he’s doing those other rehab contraptions, those balls or whatnot, and it’s right there,” Cristobal said with a smile, clearly optimistic about his QB’s progress. While Beck won’t be tossing passes under the lights at the spring game. He’s fully immersed in everything else—walkthroughs, team drills, and most importantly, soaking in the playbook like a sponge.

“He’s taking part, not only in walkthrough, but also in team … drills and allowed to hand the ball off for every progression … relentlessly watching film, excited about him … I think you know what I’m saying, we’re getting there,” Cristobal added. So yeah, Beck may be sidelined from throwing for now, but between film study and mental reps, it’s clear he’s not sitting idle.