Report: Prized 4-Star Linebacker Chooses Auburn Over Ohio State

In the fiercely competitive world of college football recruiting, the Ohio State Buckeyes are a perennial powerhouse, consistently vying for the nation’s top talent. With the 3rd-ranked recruiting class for 2024 and a highly touted class for 2025, Ohio State’s pursuit of elite prospects is well-documented. However, the Buckeyes’ recruiting efforts took a hit as they ventured into Alabama and were outmaneuvered by the Auburn Tigers for one of the state’s top talents.

Shadarius Toodle, a highly regarded linebacker from Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Alabama, recently announced his commitment to Auburn. As reported by Christian Clemente of 247Sports, Toodle made his decision during Auburn’s Big Cat Weekend recruiting event. The commitment was a significant victory for Auburn, as Toodle was also drawing interest from major programs like LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Miami FL.

In his announcement, Toodle expressed his excitement about joining Auburn, stating, “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.” He elaborated on his choice, saying, “It’s just the atmosphere. I loved it every time I came up here, I’ve been up here like four times. My family loves it. Got to talk with Coach Freeze, got to talk with the staff, and they just made me feel at home.”

BREAKING: Four-Star LB Shadarius Toodle has Committed to Auburn, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 220 LB from Mobile, AL chose the Tigers over Texas A&M & Ohio State

Ranked as a Top 5 LB in ‘26 (per On3)

“251 to 334 I’m staying home! War Eagle 🦅”https://t.co/XcZMcvPbPk pic.twitter.com/6EAE30zHFL

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 27, 2024

Toodle’s commitment was not the only high-profile news for Auburn on that Saturday morning. Hezekiah Harris, the 3rd-ranked edge rusher in the country, also pledged his future to the Tigers. Harris chose Auburn over prominent SEC rivals such as Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, further solidifying Auburn’s position as a formidable recruiting force under head coach Hugh Freeze.

The addition of Toodle and Harris is a significant boost for Auburn’s recruiting efforts and signals a potential shift in the balance of power within the SEC. For Ohio State, the loss of Toodle to a rival program highlights the ongoing challenges in securing top talent amidst fierce competition from other elite programs.

As Auburn continues to make waves on the recruiting trail, the impact of these commitments will be closely watched, with fans and analysts eager to see how these young stars will influence the Tigers’ success in the coming years.