American Heritage signs six top standouts including Malachi Toney to Miami
American Heritage is 48 hours away from potentially taking another step toward winning its sixth state title.
On Wednesday morning, the Patriots practiced in the morning and then took the afternoon to celebrate a group of their top players who were signing with colleges.
One of the most notable, however, was absent.
Six American Heritage players signed with colleges during the ceremony, which was held at the school’s gymnasium.
Running back Byron Louis, who signed with the Florida Gators, and safety Gregory Xavier Thomas, who signed with Florida State, highlighted the group.
But wide receiver Malachi Toney, rated the No. 44 overall prospect in the state, was not in attendance after delaying his eventual signing with the University of Miami.
According to a report early Wednesday by On3, Toney intended to sign with Miami, but was being held up by problems related to his early departure from American Heritage. Toney, a junior who recommitted to Miami in late October, reclassified to be a part of the class of 2025.
Late Wednesday afternoon about two hours after the ceremony, Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal announced during his press conference that Toney’s paperwork had cleared and he had indeed signed with Miami.
“It was just a couple of malfunctions so that’s it,” Toney said at the Nat Moore Trophy ceremony. “I talked to everyone down there and everything got done.”
Toney, a Navy All-American and finalist for the Nat Moore Trophy Award, was expected to be in attendance at the presentation of that award at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday night.
Toney, a three-star prospect, leads Heritage in receiving this season with 58 catches for 1,008 yards and 12 touchdowns. Last week during a 35-14 victory over Miami Norland in the Region 4-4A championship game, Toney threw three touchdown passes and ran for another in relief of injured starting quarterback Dia Bell.
Louis, who had originally been committed to FSU, recently flipped to the Gators and honored that commitment by signing with Florida. Louis has rushed for 1,394 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
Also signing for Heritage were defensive lineman Omarion Abraham, who signed with NC State, defensive back Mekhi Hicks, who will attend Harvard and offensive lineman Dayen Marouf-Araibi, who signed with Rhode Island.
MORE NOTABLES
▪ Like Heritage, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna is preparing to host a state semifinal on Friday night.
On Wednesday, seven of the Lions’ top players signed with colleges. Among the top signees were a pair of Hurricanes’ pledges in defensive back Chris Ewald and defensive tackle Donta Simpson. The rest of the group included versatile athlete Koby Howard signing with Penn State, receiver Kyle Washington with Georgia State, receiver Jaquari Lewis with Appalachian State, quarterback Bekkem Kritza with Penn State and outside linebacker Matthew Pointer with FIU.
▪ Coming off its best season in school history, West Broward signed three of its top players. Wide receiver Joshua Moore highlighted the group as he signed with the Hurricanes. Safety Kelvin Reyes signed with FIU and Zaheed Pierre signed with Eastern Michigan. The Bobcats advanced to the regional finals for the first time in school history before losing to Miami Southidge last week.
MORE SIGNEES
Blanche Ely: Cam Davis (FIU); Cardinal Gibbons: Jamarcus Pierre (Temple), Jonathan Rousseau (Buffalo), Terrance Johnson (Alabama State), Brian Williams (Bryant); Monarch: Samari Reed (Ole Miss), Antwaun Parham (Tulane), Romando Johnson (West Virginia), Bryan Auguste (Kentucky); St. Thomas Aquinas: Travares Daniels (Maryland), Cedric Wyche (Illinois), Trevor Sommers (Pitt), Caleb Harris (USF), Branden Hoch (FAU); South Broward: Sean Burke (FIU).
Miami Herald Writer Bill Daley contributed to this report.
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 5:34 PM.
