Navy transfer Carothers returns home to Bowling Green

Wyatt Sparkman, Football reporter
July 26, 2021

Former Navy junior fullback Jamale Carothers announced on Monday afternoon via social media that he is transferring to WKU to play football in his hometown. 

The Bowling Green native started six of 10 games for the Midshipmen in 2020 and 2019, finishing as Navy’s second leading rusher in both seasons. In 2020, he rushed for 358 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 103 yards and a score. 

In 2019, Carothers ran for 734 yards and 14 touchdowns, ranking 16th in the country in rushing TD’s. His 6.61 yards per carry that season ranked seventh in the nation. He also caught four passes for 105 yards and two scores. His efforts during the season landed him on the Doak Walker Watch List, the award given to the nation’s best running back, going into the 2020 season. 

Carothers’ best game at Navy came against the Houston Cougars on Nov. 30, 2019, were he ran for 189 yards on 18 carries and scored five rushing touchdowns, a program record for a non-quarterback. This marked the most rushing yards by a Midshipmen fullback since 2010. He was named American Athletic Conference Player of Week after his performance. 

Carothers was named both Kentucky’s Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year for Kentucky in 2016 for his play during his senior season at Bowling Green High School. 

Football reporter Wyatt Sparkman can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @wyattsparkman3.