King of the Tailgate | Kingsford®

Meet the college tailgate legends bringing the heat from all corners of the South. These grill masters are more than fans—they’re game day heroes serving up undying school spirit and unforgettable BBQ flavors. Dive into their unique styles, secret recipes, and passion for football to see who reigns supreme at the tailgate.

University of Oklahoma

Rodney Dindy | Norman, OK

Rodney Dindy is a proud Oklahoma native and die-hard Sooners fan, known for catering championship-worthy tailgates for his beloved University of Oklahoma teams. A former high school coach who’s helped shape future pro hoops players, Rodney’s now focused on perfecting his BBQ game with his five (yes, FIVE) grills. Fun fact: Boomer Sooner was his lullaby as a child!

Meet the Pit Masters

Get to know the Southern BBQ fanatics lighting up the college tailgate scene with a passion for football—and grilling—that turns every tailgate into the main event.

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Oklahoma State University

Jordan Taormina | Costa Mesa, CA

Jordan isn’t just an OSU Cowboys fan — he was a player! Now, as President of the Orange County OSU Chapter in Costa Mesa, CA, he shares his passion for the game with his family and community. The Taormina family bleeds orange, and Jordan proudly represents OSU wherever he goes. Beyond football, he leads charity efforts, organizing fundraisers and sponsoring scholarships for local high school grads headed to OSU. A dedicated Kingsford charcoal fan, Jordan often grills at beaches and parks, perfecting his technique with every cookout. His go-to meats? Deer, elk, buffalo, and sometimes salmon—always cooked to perfection over charcoal.

Texas A&M University

Carter Shelton | Spring, TX

Carter, a senior at Texas A&M and full-on Aggies superfan (his best friend plays on the team!), is all about cheering for his gritty, down-to-earth squad. When he’s not rooting for his team, he’s at the grill, a skill passed down by his Pawpaw, who built a charcoal grill and sparked Carter’s BBQ obsession. Known for smoking brisket for a jaw-dropping 24 hours, Carter loves creating new recipes with his family and serving up tasty dishes while enjoying the Aggies in action.

University of Alabama

Maylon Jones | Ardmore, AL

Maylon, a proud Alabama native and die-hard Crimson Tide fan, is a tailgating legend who takes his game day grilling to the next level. He once smoked and glazed an entire gator for the Bama vs. Florida game! When he's not working for his catering business, you'll likely find him cheering on Alabama football, gymnastics, basketball, or golf with his family of lifelong Tide supporters. Maylon’s love for Bama runs deep—he says 95% of his family bleeds Crimson. Using a custom offset smoker he converted from an old propane tank, Maylon declares, “There’s only one perfect thing in this world: that’s my BBQ! You have to eat my ribs!”

University of Arkansas

Andrew Seal | Springdale, AR

Andrew Seal is a seasoned grill master and die-hard Razorbacks fan! A third-generation University of Arkansas graduate, he passionately shares his love for the Hogs with his community while serving up delicious BBQ. Alongside family and fellow alumni, Andrew organizes events to cheer on the Razorbacks, dishing out charcoal-smoked pulled pork, ribs, and mac and cheese. Taught by his grandfather, he thrives on grilling and believes in the unmatched flavor of charcoal. Frequent trips to Memphis inspire him to incorporate Mississippi Delta flavors into his Arkansas recipes. Mentored by family, Andrew enjoys sharing the fruits of his labor with friends, family, and fellow fans.

University of Florida

Chad Carr | Micanopy, FL

Dr. Chad Carr, a professor of meat science at UF for 17 years, is a proud Gator fan raising two future Gators. Beyond teaching, Chad runs the ‘Gators Grillmasters Program’ and hosts grilling competitions for Gainesville teens, with the top prize being their name on the football scoreboard. A pitmaster in his own right, Chad’s expertise benefits his friends, family, and students alike. Pork chops are his favorite to grill over charcoal, though he and his colleague Scott — also a Gator fan — often team up to grill steaks and lamb. ”There is no way you are a part of this community and not a Gator fan, there would be something wrong with you!” he jokes.

University of Georgia

Abbie Hendrix | Monroe, GA

Abbie, a passionate Georgia Bulldogs fan, believes that game day isn’t just a tradition — it’s a way of life. For her and her family, tailgating is as essential as the game itself, and missing kickoff is simply not an option. “If the Georgia Bulldogs are your team, then a friendship is forged, especially on game day,” she says. On game day, you’ll find her behind the grill, firing up steaks, veggies, and even fruit, all over the superior flavor of charcoal. She’s famous for her homemade hot pepper jellies, especially her signature mango and pineapple blends. When Abbie’s grilling, it’s all about bold flavors and Bulldog spirit!

University of Mississippi

Joshua Booth | Batesville, MS

Joshua, a proud 2004 Ole Miss grad and Pitmaster, moved back to Oxford after 20 years just to catch his beloved Rebels' football games. He comes from a long line of Ole Miss grads and now lives on a 90-acre family property, where he hosts epic game day cookouts. Joshua’s been grilling for a decade, perfecting his pitmaster skills by experimenting with homemade sausages. For him, if the meat’s not singing, it’s not cooking right!

University of Missouri

Kirk Newbound | Belle, MO

A seasoned pro in Kingsford’s Supply Chain at the Belle plant, Kirk’s BBQ journey started in 1988 when he won his first grilling contest. Since then, he’s taken home wins at every competition he’s entered. Known for his brisket, smoked fish, and stuffed sausage with cream cheese mushrooms, Kirk’s skills shine on game days, where he grills premium cuts to celebrate his beloved Mizzou Tigers. “Mizzou players are like gladiators — it’s a crime not to root for them!” Now, he’s passing down his BBQ passion and Mizzou pride to his son and two grandchildren.

University of Oklahoma

Rodney Dindy | Norman, OK

Rodney Dindy is a proud Oklahoma native and die-hard Sooners fan, known for catering championship-worthy tailgates for his beloved University of Oklahoma teams. A former high school coach who’s helped shape future pro hoops players, Rodney’s now focused on perfecting his BBQ game with his five (yes, FIVE) grills. Fun fact: Boomer Sooner was his lullaby as a child!

University of South Carolina

Zain Jiwani | Atlanta, GA

When Zain went to USC, he became a Gamecock — and so did the rest of his family! Since then, they’ve made game day a celebratory occasion around the grill. Zain learned to season food from his mom and grill over charcoal from his dad, incorporating flavors from their Indian and Bangladeshi heritage. He loves grilling steaks, which he elevates with his secret weapon: soy sauce. This combo enhances the savory flavors of the meat perfectly. On game day, you’ll find Zain behind the grill serving up steaks, hot dogs, and burgers for his entire family — uncles, aunts, cousins, and siblings—all enjoying the thrill of the game and delicious food seasoned with soy sauce!

University of Tennessee

Paul Johnson | Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Paul, a Knoxville native and lifelong Vols fan, has been grilling with charcoal since he got married in 1977. Now living in California, Paul still honors his Tennessee roots, and after 45 years of marriage, he and his wife make it a tradition to share a grilled burger every Saturday. Football runs deep in the Johnson family — Paul and all his brothers played for the Vols—but his real passion is cooking up delicious meals for family gatherings. Whether it’s steaks, chicken, or his signature kabobs, Paul’s grill is always fired up for his daughter, grandkids, and son-in-law. His kabobs are a family favorite, especially with his wife’s Greek and Turkish heritage giving them an extra touch of authenticity — high praise from someone who knows her kabobs! For Paul, it’s all about food, family, and those timeless grilling moments.

University of Texas

Steven Davis | Birmingham, AL

Steven, a proud UT Class of '78 alum and President of the Texas Exes in Birmingham, AL, is a die-hard Longhorns fan — he's even got a Bevo tattoo to prove it! He and his wife Donna make it to Austin for as many games as they can, and when he's not cheering, he's grilling. Steven expertly blends Texas and Alabama flavors on the BBQ and follows a lucky game day grilling ritual. Off the grill, he's all heart, running a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged kids from various states, including Texas.

Kingsford Recipes

King of the Tailgate Recipe Collection

From bold, hearty snacks to mouthwatering mains, these crowd-pleasing recipes have everything you need to make game days a win — no matter the score.

See Collection

Jalapeño Pimento Cheese Sliders

Tennessee Smoky Hot Dog

Frito Pie Dog

Grilled BBQ Chicken Kebabs

Hot Dog Stuffed Hamburger

Texas-Style Baby Back Pork Ribs

Alabama White Sauce BBQ Chicken

Tangy Carolina-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich

St. Louis BBQ Ribs

Smoked Beef Queso Dip with Ranch

Smoked Pig Shots

Cajun Alligator Ribs

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University of Oklahoma

Rodney Dindy | Norman, OK

Meet the Pit Masters

King of the Tailgate Recipe Collection

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