The Georgia Bulldogs have landed a major recruiting victory with the commitment flip of four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle, who had previously been pledged to Auburn. The talented defender from Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Alabama, announced his official visit to Athens a few weeks ago. That proved to be a trip that would be a turning point in his recruitment.
Toodle’s time in Athens wasn’t just meeting the coaching staff or touring the facilities. One of the most influential moments came when he spent time with former Georgia linebacker and current Atlanta Falcon, Jalon Walker. Walker, a recent first-round NFL Draft pick, shared his firsthand experience of player development under Kirby Smart and what it meant to be part of Georgia’s linebacker legacy. That conversation resonated deeply with Toodle and left him seriously rethinking his college decision.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Toodle brings an impressive blend of length, range, and explosiveness to the linebacker position. His ability to pursue sideline to sideline while showing comfort in coverage makes him an ideal fit in Georgia’s aggressive defensive system. His senior season is expected to showcase his versatility further, but it’s clear the Bulldogs are betting on his long-term upside now.
Since last summer, Toodle has been on Auburn’s commit list but has never fully shut down his recruitment. Programs like Michigan and others continued to keep tabs on him, but Georgia’s pursuit intensified in recent months, especially as Toodle made a return trip to Athens. That visit reaffirmed what he was already beginning to feel: Georgia offered a better long-term fit both on and off the field.
This flip adds another high-upside defender to Georgia’s 2026 recruiting class, which is again shaping up as one of the nation’s best. With Toodle now in the fold, the Bulldogs continue their tradition of stacking elite front-seven talent — a formula that’s produced both championship defenses and NFL-ready linebackers.
Toodle becomes another high-profile recruit to choose Georgia over SEC rivals, furthering the Bulldogs’ dominance on the trail under Kirby Smart. And if his official visit is any indication, the influence of Georgia greats like Jalon Walker will continue to pay dividends for years.