From prospects to pros: 2022 NFL Draft résumé for Kentucky center Luke Fortner
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This year’s NFL Draft is April 28-30. A number of former University of Kentucky stars are eligible, and many are expected to be selected this year. We’re taking a look at every UK player who hopes to have their name called.
Luke Fortner
Height: 6-foot-4.
Weight: 307 pounds.
Hometown: Sylvania, Ohio (Sylvania Northview).
Projected NFL position: Center/guard.
What you’ll remember about him at UK: Fortner was a fixture for a beloved unit, the “Big Blue Wall,” around which Kentucky crafted an identity that helped it become a perennial winner in the Southeastern Conference. His durability — he played in 55 games and made 36 straight starts — and ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line were crucial for the Wildcats, especially in his final season after he transitioned to center from guard. Outside of that, “character” is an oft-mentioned trait when Fortner’s name comes up. He was one of 11 FBS players named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in 2020 and was a CoSida Second Team Academic All-American in 2021.
Key stats: Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 85 in his first, and only, collegiate season at center. That was eighth best in the nation. Two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in 2021, following wins over Louisiana-Monroe and South Carolina. Gave up two sacks, two hurries and one hit against the quarterback in 2021.
Career development: He was one of several impact offensive linemen whom UK signed as part of its 2016 recruiting class. A three-star prospect out of Ohio, Fortner was redshirted as a freshman and played in eight games during the 2018 season before assuming a starting role at right guard as a junior. He transitioned to center ahead of the 2021 season, in which he played after opting into an additional year of eligibility under the NCAA COVID-19 waiver. According to Pro Football Focus, he played at least 600 snaps each at center, right guard and left guard while at UK.
Latest draft projections: Fortner has been one of UK’s highest risers since the season ended. A likely late-round selection had he departed last year, he’s now mentioned as a possible third-round selection in some mocks (PFF tabs him as the No. 93 player available regardless of position). He’s most likely to hear his name called in the fourth; a slide further than that would be surprising. Fortner should be no later than the third center selected in this year’s draft.
His future: An ability to come in and play any of the three interior positions will serve Fortner well — it was that lack of flexibility that ultimately belied Drake Jackson’s NFL dream. His prospect profile grade on NFL.com projects him as a future “average starter.” A long career as an offensive lineman isn’t guaranteed: the league average is about 3.5 years, which is actually better than the league average for every position. But, that number, on average, will double if a player manages to be part of a roster for three games in three seasons, according to the NFL (talk about a specific qualifier). There’s earning potential to be had if you’re an offensive lineman who can play, stay healthy and bring positional flexibility. Fortner checks all those boxes. If football doesn’t work out, he has multiple engineering degrees and an MBA on which to fall back.
Quote: “I truly believe Fortner can start at any interior offensive line position as a high-floor, average-ceiling projection. Nevertheless, center offers him the ability to work in space more, which plays to his strengths. He won’t wow in many regards, but his game also lacks glaring holes.” — James Fragoza for Pro Football Network
This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 8:06 AM.
