Shadarius Toodle

Physical Profile

Possesses an elite frame for an inside linebacker prospect, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing between 210-230 pounds. [1, 8, 10] He has the build to easily carry 240 pounds or more in a college strength program without sacrificing his athletic ability. [9] While not characterized as a burner in terms of long speed, he exhibits great body control, balance, and short-area quickness. [9] His size and length are significant advantages, allowing him to engage and shed blockers effectively and providing versatility. [10]

Play Style

Toodle plays an aggressive, downhill style of football and is most effective when attacking the line of scrimmage. He is a high-motor player who uses his instincts and size to disrupt the run game between the tackles. [14] On film, he is a tone-setter who pursues the ball with tenacity and finishes plays with physicality, showcasing the mentality of a classic middle linebacker.

Strengths

• Physicality and Tackling Power: Toodle is a destructive tackler who brings a lot of mass when he hits, consistently stopping forward progress and rarely losing ground on contact. [9] His junior season statistics, which included 157 total tackles, underscore his reliability as a finisher. [12, 14, 17]
• Instincts and Play Diagnosis: He consistently finds himself in the correct position to make plays, demonstrating a natural feel for reading offensive schemes. [14] He shows a knack for sifting through traffic in the box to locate and pursue the ball carrier. [9]
• Frame and Versatility: His size is considered anomalous for a high school linebacker, giving him a significant physical advantage. [10] This large frame provides scheme versatility, allowing him to be a traditional inside linebacker on first and second down, with the potential to be used as a pass rusher from the edge on third down. [9, 10]

Areas to Improve

• Pass Coverage Technique: While his primary strengths lie in defending the run, further development of his pass drop technique, footwork, and route recognition will be necessary to become a trusted three-down linebacker against complex SEC offenses.
• Lateral Agility and Top-End Speed: Evaluations suggest that while he possesses good quickness, he is not an elite sideline-to-sideline speed player at this stage. [9] Improving his change-of-direction skills and overall top-end speed will be crucial for covering faster running backs and tight ends at the next level.

College Projection

Toodle projects as a future starting MIKE linebacker in a physical, SEC-style defense. His frame and run-stopping ability could allow him to see the field early on special teams and in run-heavy packages. With collegiate coaching and physical development, he has the clear potential to become a multi-year starter and a defensive leader for Auburn by his sophomore or junior season. [9]

NFL Outlook

Given his verified 4-star status, a prototypical NFL linebacker frame, and his high floor as a physical run defender, Toodle possesses a clear path to the NFL. His ultimate draft ceiling will depend on his ability to evolve into a consistent three-down player by enhancing his skills in pass coverage. If he reaches his full potential, he profiles as a solid mid-round (Day 2 or early Day 3) NFL Draft prospect.

Best Fit

A defensive scheme that values big, physical linebackers and allows them to play downhill is the ideal fit. Auburn's system, which often requires linebackers to be stout at the point of attack, perfectly suits his current skill set. A program that can be patient in developing his coverage skills while leveraging his strengths as a run-stopper will maximize his potential.