The Benefits of Justice Dingle at Fullback for Kentucky

Just like short-shorts, Air Force Ones and Chuck Taylors, fashion always come back in style. Once considered a relic from the 90s, Kentucky is bringing the fullback back to college football. The Blue/White Game gave the BBN a taste test of the position’s potential under offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello. The new addition fits like a glove, particularly for former outside linebacker, Justice Dingle.

Steamrolling Lead Blocker

Kentucky learned during Citrus Bowl prep that fullbacks can put stress on linebackers, more specifically, how they ‘fit’ the run. The extra blocker changes the defender’s assignment, sometimes leading to perilous results.

On the opening drive of the Blue-White Game, Scangarello used Dingle the old fashioned way, letting the fullback build up a head of steam in the open field on a toss-sweep. Teaming up with his younger brother, tight end Jordan Dingle, they created a pancake that gave JuTahn McClain plenty of room to move the chains.

Extra Yards in the Run Game

Justice Dingle will not be able to make every block. Moving somebody against their will in the open field is not a simple task. You don’t need to flip a flapjack on every down to be an effective fullback.

When rewinding the tape, Dingle will probably be kicking himself for not getting his nose in there to move the linebacker out of the way on the inside run. Even though the guy he was supposed to block made the tackle, his presence still gave UK some extra yards. Michael Drennen is not exactly a power-runner. The fullback’s shear presence forced the linebacker to hesitate, helping Drennen pick up five extra yards after contact.

Fullback Pass Protection

Whenever Scangarello is asked about the play of his tackles, particularly in pass protection, he usually responds with a caveat at the end, “We can always help them.” Sliding protection to one side is one way to help. Using a fullback as an extra blocker is another way to give the green tackles an extra layer of protection.

In one instance Scangarello dialed up a deep shot for Beau Allen. Dingle floated near the line of scrimmage, waiting for a stray defender to break free. When Kahlil Saunders got separation, Dingle was there to clean it up, giving Dane Key enough time to get 22 yards downfield to make the reception.

Fullback Misdirection in the Passing Game

Not only does the extra player in the backfield wreck a linebacker’s running responsibilities, they can be completely forgotten about in the passing game. Scangarello motioned a receiver from right to left, the entire offensive line stretched to the left for an outside zone run, until the quarterback faked the hand-off, leaving Dingle all by himself on the other side of the field.

The misdirection worked to perfection and the offensive sideline went nuts when Dingle used the juke stick. Chris Rodriguez was proud of how Dingle responded.

“It was mostly because last week he had the same opportunity and dropped the ball and kind of got mad at himself,” C-Rod said after the scrimmage. “I told him, ‘Forget that. You’re going to get so many more options.’ When he got it, he made the most out of it today.”

Kentucky will not return to four yards and a cloud of dust, but with a fullback and a roster full of athletic tight ends, Scangarello will use extra athletes in the backfield to create mismatches in 2022.