Bulldogs Battle Tigers: Georgia Making Strong Move for Auburn’s 4-Star LB Commit

Bulldogs Battle Tigers: Georgia Making Strong Move for Auburn’s 4-Star LB Commit

In a heated SEC recruiting battle, the Georgia Bulldogs are making a strong push to flip a key defensive talent from rival Auburn’s 2026 class. The focus of their efforts is four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle, a highly regarded prospect out of Alabama who has been committed to the Tigers but is clearly keeping his options open.

Toodle, currently ranked among the top 200 recruits nationally, has drawn increasing attention from Kirby Smart and the Georgia coaching staff. According to recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman of Rivals, Toodle has already made two visits to Athens and is scheduled to return this weekend for a third trip—an indication that Georgia is making serious strides in its recruitment efforts.

Despite his early pledge to Auburn, Toodle appears to be reevaluating his options. Alongside Georgia, programs such as Baylor, Florida, and North Carolina have all remained in the mix. Still, Georgia seems to have gained significant momentum in recent weeks, positioning themselves as a legitimate threat to flip the talented linebacker.

“Georgia has become a go-to destination for Toodle,” Spiegelman reported. “Even though he committed to Auburn early, he and his family continue to explore what Georgia has to offer. They’ve been especially responsive to Georgia’s efforts, though Auburn remains tough to beat.”

Ranked as the No. 162 overall player in the 2026 class by the 247Sports Composite and listed as the ninth-best linebacker in the nation, Toodle brings the type of defensive prowess that any SEC program would covet. He’s also considered the ninth-best overall recruit in Alabama, making his potential flip even more meaningful for Georgia—not just from a roster perspective, but also as a symbolic win in the recruiting turf war between the Bulldogs and Tigers.

Toodle’s upcoming visit could prove pivotal. Dawg Recruiting reported earlier this week that the Auburn commit will make an official visit to Athens this weekend, a trip that could further solidify Georgia’s appeal. With Auburn trying to hold on and Georgia turning up the pressure, this recruitment is shaping up to be one of the more closely watched storylines of the 2026 cycle.

The Bulldogs currently hold nine verbal commitments for the 2026 class, five of which are four-star recruits. However, the class still lacks a linebacker, making Toodle a prime target. Landing him would not only fill a critical position of need but also deliver a blow to a key SEC rival—a double victory for Kirby Smart and his staff.

As the summer recruiting season heats up, Georgia’s pursuit of Toodle underscores their continued commitment to building elite defensive units. Whether or not they can ultimately flip the Auburn commit remains to be seen, but the Bulldogs are clearly not backing down in their pursuit.

With the upcoming visit to Athens looming large, all eyes in the SEC will be on how this high-stakes recruiting drama unfolds.