Friday Night Breakdown: 4-star Auburn LB target Bradley Shaw

HOOVER, ALABAMA – Auburn Live was back on the high school football scene Friday night. This time, for the Hoover (Ala.) High School vs. Auburn High School matchup. There are several young up-and-coming prospects worth watching, but the focus was on 4-star linebacker Bradley Shaw who plays for Hoover.

Here is everything Auburn Live observed from Shaw on Friday night in the form of in-game notes and analysis and post-game notes and analysis.

In-game notes and analysis

— For those who remember, I was not overly high on Shaw a year ago against Thompson.. He flashed good athleticism, but struggled in the box (One of the more physical high school games I have ever seen).. I want better from him tonight. I have heard he has been much better in that regard.

— A source tells me “Bradley is ballin’ right now” The Hoover staff is happy with how he has progressed this offseason.

— Bradley Shaw has beefed up a good bit from a year ago… but in a good way. I needed more physicality from him.. He surely has the weight for it now.

— Quick 3 and out forced by Hoover. Shaw was in on at least two stops there. He stuck his nose into some traffic. That’s what I wanted to see.

— Jonah Winston is a 2026 receiver to watch at Hoover. He is No. 4 for anyone watching. If the name sounds familiar, he is related to Jameis Winston I was told a while back.

— No. 7 La’Mychael Gunn for Auburn has made some strong plays. He is playing the field corner and is not giving anything up yet. 2025 prospect.

— Shaw has been a roamer in the middle. They are definitely keeping him in the box more than a year ago. He nearly got hands on a ball over the middle.

— 2026 QB Noah Schuback is one to watch for the future. Dude can play.

— Bradley Shaw just had a VERY active drive. Got several videos from that. He filled the hole well, made a good play on a tunnel screen and made a great stop near the goal line when Auburn was backed up.

— Jonah Winston (sure to be an Auburn target) just out ran everyone to the corner. FLYING…. Dude can play.. 2026 WR.

— I’ve got Shaw somewhere around 9-10 tackles in the game so far. And those are solo tackles.. He has been in on several more.. He also has a very impressive sack.

Post-game notes and analysis

— If Shaw gets a chance, he’s going to wrap up and make the tackle. He’s not missing tackles, especially in the box. He has also made several outside the box. His tackling will be a 10 on the possible future Trait Breakdown.

— Shaw lined up on the edge a few times.. He was used to blitz several times as well. The best thing he does as a blitzer is keep his head up and locate the football. He is not a speedy rusher, but a smart one. He was much better in the box or playing over a slot than at the edge position in my opinion.

— Shaw was one of the best players on the field in my opinion. He just didn’t make many mistakes, if any. He was sound in his linebacker spot, he was quick to read plays, and he had no problem sticking his nose in traffic.

— Shaw impressed me as a box linebacker (something I criticized him for a year ago). He has improved tremendously in that area. He knows what he is looking at, but he is willing to take on blockers and play the linebacker position correctly. Shaw has some more weight behind him now as well. That helps.

— I came away thoroughly impressed with Shaw on Friday night. He now has the look of a future SEC linebacker.

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