Four-star Auburn Tigers linebacker commitment Shadarius Toodle is triggering a crazy recruitment race by keeping his options wide open. Hugh Freeze managed to secure his commitment back in July of last year. He has been one of the elite recruits for the Tigers’ LB room for the year 2026. But let’s not forget! We are living in a tumultuous NIL era where commitments can be flipped like confetti and players can change jerseys like it’s a hectic shooting day. So, there is nothing wrong with following the trend and picking the best option before it’s too late.

Toodle is scheduling two official visits, and the ROC Boys football host said there is a real chance for the $127 million (revenue-earning) school to strike a master move and sign him to their roster.

Should Hugh Freeze worry about Michigan taking away their standout linebacker?

“I just want to be absolutely certain when choosing a college for the next 3 to 4 years,” Toodle said on Friday, via On3. He will kick off his official visits with Georgia on May 16, followed by Florida, Auburn, and Baylor. However, according to the latest intel, Michigan is the hidden game-changer here.

“One guy that you’ve seen Michigan actually get into it with and is going to have on for an official visit this summer is Shadarius Toodle, 6’3 210. Shadarius Toodle is kind of a unique guy. He might be taller than six-three. When I’m looking at that junior film, he stands out with the size and the length that he has. Now he needs to develop that frame,” said Jason Piacelli of the ROC Boys football podcast. Michigan has already flipped four-star defensive lineman Nate Marshall from the Tigers in the class of 2025. The prior experience can be a boost in their attempt this time.

But even if Sherrone Moore manages to sign him, he might not get everything at once. Explaining the strengths and weaknesses of the kid, Piacelli continued, “It’s a very lean frame for an off-ball linebacker, but what you see with him is that he’s such a big presence, not only dropping back in zone coverage and kind of just being a guy that it’s hard to attack the middle of the field.” But at the same time, his unique size can be a great advantage in some pinpointed areas. “When you’ve got a 6’3 210 with a huge wingspan dropping back in those underneath zones, you see him close the distance between himself and the ba-l carrier really, really well in those sideline-to-sideline situations.”

However, despite Michigan heating up for a recruitment battle, flipping him from the Tigers won’t be a cakewalk for them. His rare skill set has drawn offers from over 30 FBS programs, but he chose to stay home and commit to the Tigers. And guess what? He is still not overlooking them.

Hugh Freeze is stuck at a crossroads in the Shadarius Toodle saga

As baffling as it sounds! The four-star linebacker from Cottage Hill is a huge fan of Hugh Freeze. Right after his long-awaited commitment, Toodle said, “Coach Freeze is changing the program; he’s turning the program back into a national championship contender.” He snubbed schools like Miami, OSU, South Carolina, and Texas A&M simply because he feels at home with the Tigers and his family feels great about the place as well.

He was clearly enjoying his time with the Tigers. It’s just the byproduct of the present era that made him explore his options and seek a better evolution. But he still considers Auburn as one of the best in the mix, if not the best. That June 13th visit could be a game-changer for Freeze, but you know how it goes—expectations can sting.

So, Freeze needs to be more focused on the rest of their talented 2026 class than brood over a dual-minded talent. Auburn’s 2026 cycle, anyway, looks promising with six committed players, ranking No. 2 in the Southeastern Conference. It recently gained commitment from four-star linebacker JaMichael Garrett. While losing Toodle to Michigan will cause wounds, more curative wounds will come this time!