Moving to center ignited Luke Fortner's NFL Draft stock

Luke Fortner returned for his super senior season in 2021 for a chance to play center in the new pro-style scheme Liam Coen was bringing to Kentucky. The shift could not have gone any better.

Fortner went on to start all 13 games for the Wildcats at center after starting at right guard in both 2019 and 2020. The veteran was one of the best centers in college football who received All-SEC honors and was the linchpin of the Big Blue Wall as the entire offense went through a scheme transition.

That transition turned Fortner into a bonafide NFL Draft prospect.

“[The] Transition was absolutely critical for me, and they’ve commented on that and wondered why that was and how that occurred,” Fortner told reporters on Wednesday at the NFL Combine when asked about switching positions at Kentucky.

“I wanted to come back because I felt like I could better myself and become a better football player. I certainly did that, and I also helped Kentucky win 10 games. For me, that’s two birds with one stone.”

Fortner has very good positional size (6-3, 302) with a wingspan over 80 inches. The Sylvania (Ohio) High native is super strong, but he has positional suddenness and can use angles to seal off defenders. With guard flexibility, Fortner can succeed in multiple schemes and appears to have a very high floor as a prospect. The move to center created that potential.

“They comment that I look better at center in terms of film and the way I’ve played,” Fortner said. “They said I project as a center as a guy who can move to different positions and plays both guards on the line as well.”

Fortner will likely be a day three selection when the NFL Draft rolls around in April but is a prospect that has the tools to turn into a consistent starter in the NFL. The Kentucky product is a high character prospect with three degrees and a good frame that can excel in a variety of run and pass concepts. Expect the super senior to hear his name called in the fourth round as teams attempt to build depth along the offensive line.

Moving from positions created a huge opportunity for Luke Fortner.