Toney, Barkate Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami wide receivers Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate were named to the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced Wednesday.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver at any position, where any player who catches a pass is eligible for the award; Miami is one of nine programs tied for the most Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list selections.
Barkate enters his first season with the Hurricanes after earning second-team All-ACC honors in 2025. The Newport Beach, Calif., native has totaled 185 receptions for 2,848 yards and 21 touchdowns across 37 career games. He has recorded 11 career 100-yard receiving performances, including a career-high 172 yards against Georgia Tech last season.
Toney returns for his sophomore campaign after a record-setting debut season with the Hurricanes. The Liberty City, Fla., native led the nation with a Miami single-season record 109 receptions and finished with a program-record 1,211 receiving yards. He added 10 receiving touchdowns and totaled 1,622 all-purpose yards.
Toney was named the ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year following the 2025 season and earned FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year honors. He was also a first-team All-ACC selection at wide receiver and collected multiple All-America honors.
Miami opens the 2026 season Sept. 4 at Stanford. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
