The performance of freshman linebacker Shadarius Toodle was a bright spot for the Auburn Tigers in their Week 10 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Many people, including Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, are still talking about Toodle’s 11-tackle, three-sack performance that earned him SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
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“That was, obviously, an incredible performance with the circumstances of it. Those were his first snaps all year,” Durkin said Monday. “Really, credit to him and his preparation. He does a great job of that every week, then especially this week knowing there was a chance he was going to get some snaps, so I think he cranked it up a little bit.”
Toodle played his first game for Auburn on Saturday after being a member of the practice squad earlier this season. His performance was much needed for an Auburn team that has struggled on defense this season. They needed someone to step up in the absence of Xavier Atkins and Bryce Deas. He gives Auburn the ability to apply pressure on the quarterback and make plays in the opponent’s backfield.
The Mobile, Alabama native signed with Auburn as part of the 2026 recruiting class. As a prospect, he was a four-star player and the No. 14 player in the state when he committed to the Tigers.
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers end zone pylon seen during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers end zone pylon seen during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) rolls out to pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Shane Hooks (3) dives to the endzone for a touchdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers players cheer on from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) carries the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze speaks with a game official during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Jeremiah Cobb (23) celebrates his touchdown in the end zone during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Jalen McLeod (35) reacts to his sack of Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Mike Wright (14) for a loss during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) jumps over Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Decamerion Richardson (3) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Seth Davis (23) is tackled by Auburn Tigers cornerback D.J. James (4) and cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers tight end Brandon Frazier (87) runs after making a catch against Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson (4) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Zavion Thomas (1) hauls in a touchdown pass in the end zone past Auburn Tigers cornerback Keionte Scott (0) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Jeffery Pittman (25) carries the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Corey Ellington (10) tries to tackle Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) as safety Marcus Banks (1) closes in during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks for a receiver against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Seth Davis (23) is tackled by Auburn Tigers cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (1) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Auburn Tigers running back Jeremiah Cobb (23) celebrates his touchdown catch as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Auburn Tigers lead Mississippi State Bulldogs 24-3 at halftime.
(Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Auburn Tigers linebacker Eugene Asante (9) celebrates a defensive stop as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Auburn Tigers lead Mississippi State Bulldogs 24-3 at halftime.
(Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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