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Kirby Smart Makes Push For 4-Star Auburn Commit After Key Visit

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated May 19, 2025 5:24 PM ET

Georgia has emerged as a true contender to flip one of the top linebackers in the country.

Head coach Kirby Smart's Bulldogs hosted their annual "Scavenger Hunt" recruiting event over the weekend. Multiple highly-touted prospects were in Athens to meet with the coaching staff and spend time with current and former players.

Among the group was four-star Auburn commit Shadarius Toodle. The Mobile, Alabama, product committed to the Tigers in July of last year.

Toodle (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) is rated as the No. 8 linebacker, the No. 9 player in the state and the No. 138 recruit overall in the class of 2026 (On3).

As head coach Hugh Freeze and Auburn attempt to keep Toodle in the fold, his visit to Georgia reportedly paid off for Smart and Co.

The Bulldogs are "very high" on Toodle's list and could hold the lead over the Tigers, according to On3's Chad Simmons.

"After this official visit, sources tell On3 that Georgia is “very high” on Toodle’s list and could have the edge over Auburn," Simmons wrote on Monday. "It is still fresh off the visit, and he has an official visit to Auburn scheduled for June 13, so nothing is expected to happen before then, but we are told that Kirby Smart‘s program made a significant move this weekend."

Former Georgia linebacker and Butkus Award winner Jalon Walker met with Toodle in Athens over the weekend.

It appears that Smart and co-defensive coordinator/ linebackers coach Glenn Schumann are preaching development, and Walker is a perfect example after going in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. In total, Smart and Schumann have produced three Butkus Award winners at Georgia with 12 linebackers drafted to the NFL over nine years.

Toodle has a busy visit season over the next couple of month with official trips scheduled to Michigan (May 30), North Carolina (June 6), Florida (June 6), Auburn (June 13) and Baylor (June 20).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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