Kadarius Toney (born January 27, 1999) is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Toney played college football at Florida and was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Early years

Toney was born on January 27, 1999, in Mobile, Alabama. He attended Blount High School in Eight Mile, Alabama, where he was the starting quarterback for the last two years of his high school football career as a dual-threat quarterback.^[1]

As a junior, Toney threw for 3604 yards while rushing for 896 and having 53 touchdowns (37 passing, 16 rushing). He was named Alabama 6A second-team all state selection, was selected to the AL.com Coastal Alabama first team. As a senior, Toney threw for 2984 yards while rushing for 894 yards and having 47 touchdowns (32 passing, 15 rushing). He was labeled as Alabama 6A Back of the Year, made the 2016 AL.com Super All-State Team, named Offensive MVP of the 2016 AL.com All-Coastal Alabama team, and played in the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Classic. He finished his high school career with a 20-5 record as a starter.

College career

Toney received scholarship offers from South Carolina, Georgia Tech, South Alabama, Alabama, and Florida, eventually narrowing his choices to Alabama and Florida, electing to attend the latter. Toney was a three-star recruit as a versatile athlete.^[1]

From his freshman season through his junior season, Toney was a consistent contributor for the Gators. As a senior, Toney's production increased drastically. He recorded four games with over 100 receiving yards after not reaching the mark once in his first three seasons with the Gators.^[2] Toney opted out of the 2020 Cotton Bowl Classic to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.^[3]

Professional career

Toney was selected by the New York Giants in the first round with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.^[6] He signed a four-year contract worth $13.7 million, on June 4, 2021.^[7] Toney was placed on the team's COVID-19 reserve list at the start of training camp.^[8] Toney started off slow, having only four receptions through the first three games. In Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints, Toney recorded six catches for 78 yards in the 27–21 overtime win. In Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, Toney had the best performance of his young career, recording 10 catches for 189 yards, breaking Odell Beckham Jr.'s Giants receiving record for a rookie, but was ejected for throwing a punch at Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee during the 44-20 loss.^[9] On December 13, 2021, Toney was placed on reserve/COVID-19 list.^[10]

NFL career statistics

Personal life

Toney is also a rapper who goes by the name of Yung Joka.^[11]