WATCH: Luke Fortner details rookie year and more with KSR

by:Nick Roush•04/12/23•

RoushKSR

Luke Fortner was among the many former Kentucky Wildcats that KSR caught up with at the third annual Schlarman Strong Golf Scramble.

The Ohio native started his career at Kentucky as an offensive guard. His lengthy career on the Big Blue Wall included a loss to Southern Miss and two 10-win seasons capped off with Citrus Bowl victories. During his Super Senior campaign he switched positions to center, a move that ultimately made him a third round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

During his rookie campaign Fortner started in every game, with only three centers taking more snaps in the regular season. After starting 2-7, Fortner shared how the Jags flipped the switch to win five straight games and punch their first ticket to the playoffs since 2017. It all culminated with two raucous night games at TIAA Bank Field.

“It was awesome,” said Fortner. “We played a lot of 1 o’clock games this year and it gets pretty hot down there at 1 o’clock. Crowds aren’t always popping. But when you get those night games and it’s in the middle of winter in Jacksonville, people were out in full force and they were excited.”

Although he’s only played the position for two seasons, he’s had the chance to snap footballs to a pair of top NFL draft picks, Trevor Lawrence and Will Levis. As pundits debate on how the former Wildcat gunslinger will perform at the next level, I had to ask, “Who can throw the ball farther?”

“I’m going to have to go Trevor on this one, but I don’t think we’ve ever sat them down and done the whole test,” Fortner dodged the question. When I pressed him further, he said, “I’ll ride with Will any day of the week, but Trevor’s the current quarterback so I can’t be a traitor.”

It was a lively conversation that touched on more topics than just his first season in the NFL. He’s spent most of the offseason training in Lexington. He shared why so many former Wildcats are drawn back to Mark Stoops’ program and what he believes the future holds for the Big Blue Wall.