Luke Fortner shows off versatility at the Senior Bowl

Luke Fortner is making money this week in Mobile. The former Wildcat is showing NFL scouts exactly what they want to see at the Senior Bowl.

Fortner began his six-year Kentucky career playing right guard. Even though the Sylvania, Oh. native never sent Drake Jackson to the sideline, Fortner cross-trained in practice, preparing to move into the center position for his final season in Lexington.

Versatility is the most desired trait for NFL interior offensive linemen (IOL). With limited options on a 53-man roster, teams need their right guard to be able to play left and snap the ball at center. Fortner has done all of the above in his college career and he has the size to play each IOL position, measuring in at 6’3″ 7/8 and 302 pounds this week.

To make sure scouts get looks at each spot, instead of letting Fortner play one position per day, he was moved around from spot to spot between reps. Luckily, the Big Blue Wall prepared him for this moment.

“It’s real difficult,” he told Cole Cubelic on Jox-FM. “It’s something different and a different experience for a lot of people. You gotta be on your toes because you get different body types at different positions out there.”

Whether playing center or guard, he was winning reps, consistently creating stalemates with guys like Alabama’s Phil Mathis.

Luke Fortner showed impressive lateral quickness and hands on film this year at Kentucky. How did he win here? Take a guess. pic.twitter.com/BFkTKOlQJ8

— Matt Alkire (@mattalkire) February 3, 2022

Luke Fortner 1 on 1 with Phidarian Mathis #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/Yy5LWy0Rhy

— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) February 4, 2022

A lot of the small school guys have really been impressing including Missouri State DT Eric Johnson. This guy is massive and has shown an impressive array of explosive pass rush moves including going for the fake spin here against Luke Fortner. pic.twitter.com/RppwOJ4n7m

— Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm) February 3, 2022

Fortner impressed NFL Draft analysts, declared a “winner” from the week’s early practices. He’ll get one more opportunity to shine in the spotlight with his Wildcat teammates, Yusuf Corker and Darian Kinnard, on the America Team. The Senior Bowl kicks off Saturday afternoon at 2:30 pm ET on the NFL Network.