Shadarius Toodle flips back to Auburn to join brother

 

 

By ARTHUR L. MACK

Cottage Hill Christian Academy star linebacker Shadarius Toodle flipped his commitment from Georgia back to Auburn, he announced on social media Tuesday.

The four-star Toodle (6-3, 235), who is ranked the No. 13 linebacker prospect in the U.S. by Rivals, originally committed to Auburn in July 2024, then flipped to Georgia last May, saying coach Kirby Smart told him he would have an expanded role.

“At Auburn, they wanted me to play linebacker but at Georgia they talked about having me at outside linebacker and inside linebacker, as well as rushing the passer,” Toodle said.

But after attending last weekend’s Auburn-Georgia game in Auburn, Toodle switched back to the Tigers.

“It’s the best situation for him,” CHCA coach Carvel Jones said of Toodle’s second change of heart. “He stayed in contact with Auburn even after he committed to Georgia. I’m behind him 100 percent.”

Toodle’s father Shadrick said in June that his son felt playing at Georgia would enhance his chances of an NFL career.

“After Shadarius committed (to Auburn), we just went through the process of being with Auburn and after seeing Georgia since that time, the staff and the development sort of pushed Georgia over the hump,” Shadrick Toodle said at the time. “Georgia didn’t stop even after he was committed.”

Toodle’s father said the Bulldogs producing three Butkus Award winners in the last 10 years — Jalon Walker (2024), Nakobe Dean (2021) and Roquan Smith (2017) — and Walker getting picked No. 15 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft also influenced his son’s decision.

“I think that spoke volumes with Shadarius about his goal of trying to make it into the NFL,” his father said.

Toodle’s older brother, Shadrick Jr., a 6-3, 205-pound three-star safety at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, was also offered a scholarship by Auburn and plans to transfer.

“With his size and ability, Auburn’s getting two great players,” Jones said.