By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Jordan Dingle, a tight end and Clinical Leadership and Management major, announced this weekend that after exploring a transfer to another school, he will instead return to Kentucky.

“After a lot of prayer and talks with my family and the UK coaching staff, I know the best place for me to continue developing my game is right here at Kentucky,” Dingle wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “To my brothers, let’s work! I’m excited about the future of UK Football! Let’s go! #BBN.”

Dingle, a 6-4, 236-pound Bowling Green, Ky., native, has played for the Wildcats since he was a freshman in 2022. He had 200-plus yards receiving last season and just under that this year.

On the academic side, Dingle is also a standout. In a feature with CHS last year, he revealed he has not gotten a B ever in his life — just straight A’s.

And that’s why he chose the program, and UK in particular.

“I found a family atmosphere,” Dingle said of the College. “I knew this was the best fit for me based on education, and as far as like, playing time with football and the roster. So, I decided to come on.”

Dingle originally chose Kentucky over Purdue, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Ohio State.

But what exactly led him to CLM?

“Growing up, I was looking at a couple of different things as far as for my career, but I always knew I wanted to go into health care,” he said. “My uncle is actually in hospital administration, and that got me introduced into the field. And so, once I saw that UK had that specific major, and it still allows you to do a lot of different things and keep your career choices broad, that’s what made me end up choosing.”

And he has discovered that the classes also help him on the field.

“These classes are preparing me for managerial roles,” Dingle said. “The teachers are helping me, even with football, they’re very supportive. And it can be a load. There are a lot of papers, but the classes are really good. Last semester, we had a class on Ethics that was really thought-provoking. And this degree is about how to be a leader, which also helps me on the field, as well. It helps me step up and take on those leadership responsibilities.”
 

Top photo by Jacob Noger/UK Football