Kirby Smart leaves Hugh Freeze in rear view mirror after Georgia flips 4-star LB Shadarius Toodle from Auburn
Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs secured four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle after flipping him from Southeastern Conference rival Auburn, led by Hugh Freeze. Toodle is the No. 186-ranked prospect and the No. 5 linebacker in the Class of 2026 by On3. He announced his commitment to the Bulldogs on Sunday after nearly a year as a Tigers pledge.

A 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete from Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Alabama, Toodle had been committed to Auburn since July. He is the 19th commitment in Georgia’s 2026 recruiting class and is the Bulldogs’ first linebacker addition in the cycle.

Georgia’s pursuit of Toodle picked up early this year. Bulldogs co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann visited his high school two days after extending an offer in January, laying the groundwork for a sustained recruiting push.

Why did Shadarius Toodle choose Georgia over Auburn?

Shadarius Toodle made multiple visits to Athens, including an important stop during Georgia’s annual May Scavenger Hunt weekend. That trip also included a one-on-one meeting with former Bulldog linebacker and Butkus Award winner Jalon Walker. That conversation helped tip the scales in Georgia’s favor.