Luke Fortner was the 65th overall pick in the recent NFL Draft. (Jacksonville Jaguars Photo)
Kentucky associate coach Vince Marrow knows how proud former UK offensive line coach John Schlarman would have been to see Luke Fortner drafted in the third round recently by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Schlarman could see things in guys that other O-line coaches just could not see,” Marrow said about Schlarman, who passed away late in the 2020 season from cancer. “I remember when he recruited Luke and said he could be a great center but we had Drake (Jackson). But John said way back in 2017 that he thought this kid (Fortner) could play a long time in the NFL.”
Fortner waited for his chance to play and then became a starting guard before moving to center last year after Jackson’s graduation. He played so well that Jacksonville made him the first pick in the third round — the 65th overall pick. Schlarman wore No. 65 at Kentucky during his playing career.
“Luke played every position in the O-line,” Marrow said. “He played center last season but he got a lot of starts at guard and could get you out of some games at tackle. He’s a smart young man, which is what NFL teams look for, and he is big.”
“Now that he can play center and also swing and play guard, that makes him even more valuable in the NFL where teams only have eight or nine offensive linemen on game day. You have got to be versatile and that’s why Luke is going to be so valuable in the NFL.”
