Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 95 Jamarius Dinkins

Less than a week before players report back to campus for summer training, KSR is counting down the days till Kentucky kicks off the 2022 season against Miami (Oh.). With only 95 days remaining, let’s take a closer look at an underclassman that made some noise on the defensive line this spring.

About Dinkins

Entering his second season in Lexington, Jamarius Dinkins is a 6-foot-5, 255-pound nose guard. A three-star prospect from Columbus, Oh., few expected him to make an impact, especially as a freshman. Throughout the preseason we were told to “keep an eye on Dinkins.” The skepticism remained until he cracked the rotation in three games and recorded a half-sack against ULM.

Prior to joining the Wildcats, he helped Walnut Ridge High School win the Columbus City League Championship. Dinkins was named District Defensive Player of the Year after posting some gaudy statistics for a defensive lineman: 43 tackles, 12 TFLs, eight sacks and four forced fumbles.

Jamarius Dinkins Fun Fact

Dinkins produced the funniest moment from spring practice without saying a word. Once every few years, a player will refer to a teammate by a name media members have never heard before. For example, once upon a time a UK receiver could not remember Kelvin Joseph’s name, only his nickname, Bossman Fat.

This spring Jacquez Jones was eager to share praise about some of the rising underclassmen on the defensive line. “Spider’s stepping up and playing good ball. I’m proud for real,” he said.

The only problem: We had no idea who Spider was. Turns out, it’s Jamarius Dinkins. No, Jones had no idea how Dinkins got that nickname either.

2022 Forecast

Even though he had an excellent offseason, it might take Spider some time to crawl up the depth chart. It’s not for a lack of progress. Dinkins shed some weight and used his length to consistently infiltrate the offensive backfield throughout UK’s 15-practice spring season. There are two big things standing in his way: Justin Rogers and Josaih Hayes.

Nose guard is a physically demanding position that has a knack for attracting injuries. Just how Rogers and Hayes waited their turn behind Quinton Bohanna and Marquan McCall, Dinkins will not take a lion’s share of snaps until an injury sidelines one of the upperclassmen. However, these is still a path for Dinkins to play this fall. Of all the nose guards on the roster, he might have the most juice in the pass rush. If Rogers and Hayes cannot add a little wiggle to their arsenal, the man called Spider could play a pass rushing role on the UK defense.

If you don’t see No. 95 a ton in the fall of 2022, don’t fret. Kentucky’s future at nose guard is in good hands with Dinkins.