Elite prospect puts South Carolina football program on list of favorites

South Carolina football has had tons of recruiting news fly across the wire in the last week or so. However, because seven (yes, seven) class of 2025 prospects have gone public recently with announcements in favor of the Gamecocks, smaller bits of recruiting news have fallen through the cracks.

It wasn't a commitment, but over the weekend, USC also found itself put on the top list for an elite prospect from the class of 2026 out of the state of Alabama.

4-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle put the South Carolina Gamecocks in his top-10 along with the LSU Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Miami Hurricanes, Oregon Ducks, Michigan Wolverines, Louisville Cardinals, Auburn Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels, and Texas A&M Aggies.

Toodle is a consensus 4-star prospect and is rated as high as #51 (Rivals) in the '26 cycle and as high as the #2 linebacker (ESPN) in the class.

As a player, Toodle has played both traditional linebacker and EDGE for Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Alabama.

The theme of Toodle's game is violence. Big hits are all over his high school film (and he still has two seasons left to add more), and even routine tackles seem like they hurt when they are being delivered by big #4.

Toodle has good pursuit speed and can play sideline to sideline as a linebacker. He also has a good nose for avoiding blockers when coming on blitzes or rushing the passer.

There are not a ton of coverage snaps on film for Toodle, but he has the athleticism and speed to become a solid player in that area. Even with the limited snaps, he has multiple interceptions on tape, so his natural playmaking ability shows through in coverage, too.

Toodle plays offense for Cottage Hill, as well, and he has lined up at running back, quarterback, tight end, fullback, and receiver. He brings the same toughness and physicality to that side of the football, but defense is in his future at the college level.

You can watch some of his film here.