Bowling Green High’s Dingle brothers bringing football family to Kentucky
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (BVM) — Brothers Justice and Jordan Dingle grew up playing football together. Now, both are well known names in the state of Kentucky after years wrecking havoc as members of the Bowling Green High School Purples football team. Justice, who is three years older than Jordan, was the first to make himself known in the Commonwealth.
After playing two years of high school football at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Justice joined the Purples where he became an immediate impact player at the middle linebacker position. In his two years with the Purples, Justice was named to two All-State teams, nominated for the Army All-American Game, awarded the Dick Butkus Award, given to the national high school Linebacker of the Year, and Kentucky’s Mr. Football award. He would also help the Purples win a state championship during his junior season in 2016.
Ranked as a four-star recruit and the No. 2 player in the state for his class by Rivals.com, Justice was highly sought after by a number of schools including Indiana, Louisville, Tennessee, and Virginia, but ultimately decided to take his skills to Georgia Tech.
While at Georgia Tech, Justice would play in 19 games for the Yellow Jackets, totaling eight tackles, one for a loss, and forcing three fumbles over three seasons including a four-game redshirt freshman year.
During Justice’s time at Georgia Tech, Jordan was blossoming into a star in his own right for the Purples. As a junior, Jordan, who was more proficient on the offensive side than his older brother, would catch 35 passes for 474 yards and five receiving touchdowns in 13 games from his tight end position. This past season, Jordan would bring his game up another level, catching 41 passes for 515 yards and two receiving touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown in 12 games for the Purples. Like his brother before him, Jordan would also lead the Purples to a state championship, making both brothers key contributors to team titles.
“With everything going on and still having the ability to go all the way to state and be a champion was amazing,” Jordan said. “We wanted to prove ourselves this season and we were able to do that. … It’s a blessing. Not everybody gets to do that. It’s amazing and I’m ready to get my ring!”
On Nov. 13, Jordan was ready to make his own collegiate decision. As a three-star recruit and a top 10 prospect in the state of Kentucky, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Jordan also had a plethora of opportunities much like his brother before him with offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Vanderbilt and others. However, unlike Justice, Jordan would keep his talents in-state and commit to the University of Kentucky.
“It just really felt like home,” Jordan said about the program. “The coaches were always on me heavily and I just always felt the love from them. Everything kind of worked out as far as my position goes and how things would turn out for me so I really like that. I see myself having a great future there.”
Committed!!! #BBN 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/Lc7mNtOia9
— Jordan Dingle 🧪 (@jordandingle21) November 13, 2020
Jordan would celebrate his signing on Dec. 16, the first day of the early national signing period, with a signing ceremony at Bowling Green. Though the moment was for Jordan, giving him a chance to put pen to paper, he wasn’t the only Dingle making a decision that day.
Earlier that morning, it was announced that Justice, who had entered the transfer portal earlier in the year, would also be playing football at the University of Kentucky. This would put the two brothers back on the field together once again.
“It’s something I thought that I would never do again,” Jordan admitted. “It’s just great for that to happen. … Everybody was excited for us and congratulating us and couldn’t wait to see what the future had in store for us. We were getting a lot of love and we appreciate it. We’re ready to get up there together.”
Blessed to have the opportunity and to be a part of the family!!💙💙 Go #BBN !! https://t.co/tb0iDFed0f
— Justice Dingle II (@justicedingle21) December 16, 2020
Currently, Justice is fully transferred into the University of Kentucky, working out with the football team during its spring practices. Jordan will arrive on campus in a few months after he graduates from Bowling Green. Though they haven’t gotten together on the field at Kentucky just yet, the two are excited about the possibility of working together for a common goal once again, even if that means competing against each other in practice.
“I can’t wait to be going against him every day in practice and bettering each other,” Jordan said. “[Justice being at UK] just makes me more eager and excited to get there. I just can’t wait to get there and contribute to the team and get to work.”
With the two Dingle brothers now on board, the Wildcats are giving a whole new meaning to the “family” of a football team. Wildcats fans just hope the Dingle family can be a fruitful one for the future.
Bowling Green, KY's @justicedingle21 joined the @UKfootball family to be closer to home, be part of what we're building and to combine forces with his brother.#MeetTheWildcats x #ForTheTeam 😼🏈 pic.twitter.com/xwE21VXthG
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) March 13, 2021
