Luke Fulton could play major role at linebacker for Kentucky

On3 imageby:Adam Luckett05/29/21

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Luke Fulton - LB - Kentucky

(Luke Fulton/Twitter)

When the transfer of Michigan State linebacker Luke Fulton was announced in December, this wasn’t expected to be an immediate starter addition. The redshirt sophomore was an older player who could give Kentucky depth at Mike linebacker.

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Towards the end of spring practice, expected starter D’Eryk Jackson was knocked out of the lineup for the season with an Achilles injury. With true freshman phenom Trevin Wallace still not on campus, that left the Wildcats with only one true Mike linebacker.

Fulton is an alum of Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney High, and that is a school that the Kentucky football program is very familiar with. This was the alma mater of Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow. Former defensive players Jordan Jones, Courtney Love, and Marcus McWilson all played for Cardinal Mooney. This should get the transfer off on the right foot with the coaches.

“I’ve known Luke for a long time and watched him play for a long time,” Stoops said. “We’re grateful to add him to our program and the contributions he will bring at inside linebacker.”

The class of 2019 member, Fulton was a top-500 recruit and a top-15 prospect in the state of Ohio. Despite some strong ties to Kentucky, Fulton decided to head to Michigan State to play for Mark Dantonio. However, a coaching change occurred after his first season in East Lansing and an offseason arrest led to a suspension by new head coach Mel Tucker. After playing just one career game for the Spartans, Fulton has found a new home.

A third-team All-State selection in high school, Fulton recorded 135 tackles as a junior with six sacks and eight forced fumbles. This is a player with some thump as a tackler who consistently knocks offensive players off balance. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Fulton has the size required to succeed at Mike.

Inside linebackers coach Jon Sumrall has plenty of questions to answer this summer. Kentucky must get Wallace and fellow true freshman Martez Thrower up to speed as soon as possible, but asking either to play major snaps early could be a reach. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore Jared Casey is someone the coaching staff is fond of but there is some hesitancy to use him at Mike after working him primarily at Will in the last year.

That leaves Fulton who now has a great opportunity in front of him heading into June. Don’t be surprised if the transfer is the starter at Mike when ULM comes to Kroger Field in September.

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