Cottage Hill Christian Academy’s Shadarius Toodle is the No. 12 linebacker in the country according to On3’s composite ratings and said his flip from Auburn to Georgia Sunday was based on his chances of making the NFL and being used in an expanded role with the Bulldogs.

By ARTHUR L. MACK

Cottage Hill Christian Academy star linebacker Shadarius Toodle flipped his commitment from Auburn to Georgia on Sunday.

Toodle (6-3, 235), a four-star prospect who originally committed to the Tigers last July, told the Call News he came away impressed with Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart and his staff during an official visit in May and their plans to use him in a more expanded role than Auburn.

“It was just the relationship I had with the whole staff and how they treated me,” he said. “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.”

Jones, rated the No. 12 linebacker in the nation in On3’s composite, announced the switch via On 3’s website. He also visited Michigan, Baylor and Auburn only last weekend.

“He and his family are really excited,” CHCA coach Carvel Jones said. “When he visited Georgia, he saw how coach Smart and the staff did things the right way and they showed how he was going to be used in their scheme. That kind of sealed the deal for him as far as him wanting to play at the next level. It was not about only his ability to play Mike linebacker but being able to rush the passer on third down. His athleticism and his range was good and they loved how he would be able to do a multitude of things.

“With the transfer portal, it’s not just important to find the right school but to find the right coaching fit. Shadarius is thinking about his future and his goal is to try and get into the NFL, so I know that Georgia does a really good job of preparing athletes going forward in life.”

Toodle’s father Shadrick agreed that was another factor in the decision.

“It was what they had to offer after football,” he said. “After Shadarius committed, 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. Georgia didn’t stop even after he was committed.”

Shadrick Toodle 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 15^th overall in the recent 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.

With the flip done, Shadarius Toodle is ready to focus on his senior season.

“He’s locked in,” his father said. “He’s focused on helping Cottage Hill Christian get into the playoffs.”