Luke Fortner Explained

Luke Fortner
College:Kentucky (2016–2021)
Number:79
Position:Center
Current Team:Jacksonville Jaguars
Draftyear:2022
Draftround:3
Draftpick:65
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Birth Date:15 May 1998
Birth Place:Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.[1]
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:307
High School:Sylvania Northview
(Sylvania, Ohio)
Highlights:
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:34
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:34
Pfr:FortLu01

Luke Fortner (born May 15, 1998) is an American professional football center for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kentucky.

Early life and high school

Fortner grew up in Sylvania, Ohio and attended Sylvania Northview High School. After Luke graduated Northview High School his successor on the offensive line happened to be his younger brother Matt. Some say Matt was the more talented one.[2]

College career

Fortner redshirted his true freshman season at Kentucky.[3] He appeared in eight games as a redshirt freshman.[4] Fortner played in 11 of Kentucky's 13 games during his redshirt sophomore season.[5] He became the Wildcats' starting left guard going into his redshirt junior season and started 13 games in 2019 and 10 in Kentucky's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Fortner decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and return to Kentucky for a sixth season.[6] He moved to center during fall training camp and was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the league's coaches.[7] [8] Fortner graduated in May 2022 with three degrees: Bachelor's, master's in mechanical engineering, and MBA.[9]

Professional career

Fortner was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round, 65th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.[10] He was named the Jaguars starting center as a rookie.

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/player/luke-fortner/
  2. Web site: What Sylvania's Luke Fortner had to say during media availability at the NFL Combine. Toledo Blade. March 3, 2022. April 27, 2022.
  3. Web site: Kentucky Football: Offensive linemen 'ready to play anywhere'. The Courier-Journal. April 5, 2017. April 27, 2022.
  4. Web site: Kentucky football: Previewing offensive line for 2019 season. The Courier-Journal. July 28, 2019. April 27, 2022.
  5. Web site: From prospects to pros: 2022 NFL Draft résumé for Kentucky center Luke Fortner. Lexington Herald-Leader. April 23, 2022. April 27, 2022.
  6. Web site: Fortner looks ahead to draft after strong final season at Kentucky. Toledo Blade. January 6, 2022. April 27, 2022.
  7. Web site: NFL Draft scouts say Kentucky’s Luke Fortner made the most of his sixth season. John. Clay. Lexington Herald-Leader. April 26, 2022. April 27, 2022.
  8. Web site: 2022 NFL Draft: Top Interior Offensive Linemen. The San Diego Union-Tribune. April 22, 2022. April 27, 2022.
  9. UK football player balancing NFL, engineering futures . 2022-04-21 . video . en-US . WYMT.
  10. Web site: No. 65 overall: Fortner is the selection. Oehser, John. Jaguars.com. April 29, 2022.