2026 4 ⭐️ LB Shadarius Toodle has flipped from Auburn to Georgia

Georgia’s recruiting class just received a game‑changing shot in the arm as 2026 four‑star linebacker Shadarius Toodle, previously committed to Auburn, officially flipped to the Bulldogs. Toodle hails from Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Alabama, and holds impressive national credentials—On3 ranks him as a top‑eight linebacker and the No. 138 overall player in the class . He held Auburn’s commitment since July 2024 but made the switch after multiple visits and concerted efforts from Georgia’s staff, particularly defensive coordinator/co‑OLB coach Glenn Schumann .

Standing 6‑foot‑3 and weighing around 215 pounds, Toodle brings rare athleticism, range, and instinct to Georgia’s front seven. At Cottage Hill, he racked up 157 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, two sacks, and even an interception, including three games with 20 tackles each—proof of his sideline‑to‑sideline dominance . Georgia’s flip marks its first linebacker commit in the 2026 class and strengthens a defense already known for producing top NFL-ready talent such as Roquan Smith, Nakobe Dean, Jalon Walker, and Smael Mondon .

The recruiting battle spanned months. Georgia extended an offer in January, with Schumann and Chidera Uzo‑Diribe making early sustained contact. Toodle took an official visit to Athens in mid‑May, accompanied by his family. The Bulldogs arranged for top NFL talent—recent first‑round pick Jalon Walker—to meet him during that visit, a strategic move that resonated deeply . Following visits to Michigan, Baylor, and his native Auburn, he ultimately chose Georgia, citing a unique “feeling” he didn’t experience elsewhere .

Despite Georgia’s initial lead, Toodle’s Auburn visit in mid‑June nearly turned the tide. He even told reporters afterward that Auburn had climbed back into the driver’s seat. But Georgia’s vision for his development—including access to Schumann’s history of turning linebackers into NFL high picks—proved decisive . “Coach Schumann is genuine … he will help develop me on and off the field,” Toodle told On3 .

Georgia adds a regionally prized recruit and national standout, marking their 19th commitment in this cycle . The news also comes amid continued momentum: recent flips include cornerback Caden Harris (from Vanderbilt) and offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko . After Toodle’s addition, On3 elevated Georgia to No. 3 overall in their team‑ranking list—thanks partly to the linebacker haul .

Toodle’s decision holds significance beyond roster construction. It’s a statement that Georgia, while dominant on the national stage, isn’t resting on reputation alone—they’re competing head‑to‑head in territory once controlled by Auburn, Michigan, Baylor, and what he once considered home. The emotional heft of an Alabama native flipping from Auburn only adds to its impact.

On the field, Georgia gains a versatile option across its linebacker units. Toodle’s tape shows a rare combination: sideline‑to‑sideline pursuit, powerful takedown ability, and fluidity in coverage. His mobility and instincts make him a natural fit both alongside and behind Georgia’s front four, giving defensive coordinator Schumann the flexibility to deploy him as a stud off‑the‑edge or in coverage packages. As Jalon Walker told him, he has “that kind of upside.”

Georgia’s linebacker tradition is strong—and this boosts it further. Their pipeline to the NFL is unmatched, and Toodle now steps into a room featuring elite peers and clear paths to development. For a young man seeking to maximize both growth and visibility, Athens may now be the optimum environment .

The Bulldogs don’t just get locked skill; they also add competitive culture and leadership potential. Toodle’s stat line—three 20‑tackle games as a high schooler—suggests a relentless motor and a nose for contact. Georgia values that kind of high‑effort mentality. Multiple insiders say Toodle’s leadership shined during his visits; coaches marveled at his humility, his work ethic, and his willingness to embrace the Georgia Way.

In the broader recruiting landscape, this flip could spark momentum shifts. Georgia has so far stayed dominant in this class, but Alabama, Florida, LSU, and others will be targeting top-tier LBs. Toodle’s decision, driven by development and program fit rather than convenience or geography, sends a message to recruits nationwide: Georgia competes—and wins—when it matters most.

It’s also a recruiting blow to Auburn. Once a centerpiece of their 2026 class, Toodle’s departure leaves a gap—both in talent and regional leverage. Auburn, MI still pursuing him through Official visits. Now, they’ll need to pivot and replenish quickly.

For Shadarius himself, the choice clearly centers around his future trajectory. He explained, “The development at Georgia was big … where I want to go was big … how I got along with coaches and players was important” . It’s about growth—and Georgia offers next-gen facilities, rigorous competition, and a track record of turning LBs into top NFL picks. It’s not just a powerful football program; it’s a developmental factory.

Georgia’s linebackers will benefit too. Training alongside Toodle sharpens their film study, their run-read reactions, and their situational awareness. His addition adds competition—and competition breeds excellence. As one teammate commented after his visit, “He’s quiet but confident, fastest in the weight room.” As a vestige of Georgia’s culture-first philosophy, Toodle fits both character and talent profiles seamlessly.

The head-to-head visits underscore Georgia’s intention: they didn’t view Toodle as a back-of-bench project but as a foundational player. Having first introduced him to the program in January, the staff continued through spring, official visit, and through competitor visits—especially Auburn’s—to maintain connection, trust, and clarity.

Off the field, Toodle’s flip energizes Georgia’s messaging to fans and donors. Turner’s arrival will be touted in marketing materials. Sponsors, boosters, and season-ticket pledges are all up when a high four-star flips from a rival. It signals institutional power to bring elite talent back home to Athens.

Georgia’s 2026 class, now including Jared Curtis (five-star QB), Jordan Smith, Zech Fort, and Toodle, boasts balance and star power across positions . Each commit complements program needs. With Shadarius on board, Georgia becomes the only SEC program with top recruits at key positions: QB, WR, LB, CB, OT, S. That breadth and depth are national-title ingredients.

All eyes now turn to 2027 and beyond. Georgia’s staff, led by Smart and Schumann, will use Toodle’s flip as a showcase—hosted clinics, film nights, and recruiting weekends spotlight high growth. Auburn loses leverage, and Georgia gains it. But elite recruits at linebacker, DB, edge must absorb this power shift, recalibrating their lists with Georgia at the apex.

Toodle’s story is just beginning. Early enrollee? Not yet clear, but if he arrives before spring practice, he’ll get early access to weight room, playbook, and position mastery. A younger prospect in this mold may resist moving back home—but Toodle is, as he said, “feeling at home” in Athens .

If that holds, Georgia could seamlessly slot him into push packages this coming season and project as early contributor. But long-term vision? NFL Draft 2029, Pro Day 2030—wherever his career leads, this program gives him maximum runway.

As the Bulldogs prepare for another SEC championship run in 2026–27, Toodle’s addition matters. He’s not just a piece—he’s a message: Georgia is building a front-seven fortress of elite defensive minds. If his flip remains just the beginning of a linebacker talent influx—perhaps including targets like Tyler Atkinson—the future could be unprecedented.

In closing, Shadarius Toodle flipping from Auburn to Georgia is more than a recruiting coup—it’s a strategic pivot, recalibrating the SEC recruiting map and projecting Georgia’s next defensive era. For Toodle, it’s the chance to train with the best, compete against the best, and become the best. For Georgia, it’s another step in sustaining dominance through elite talent acquisition, development, and culture.

In recruiting battles, flips rarely come as clean and consequential as this. For now, Georgia is winning. Toodle’s decision amplifies the Dawgs’ name, reputation, and promise—building toward future titles, future pros, and the future of Bulldogs football.