LEXINGTON - Luke Fortner's decision to return to Kentucky for his extra year of eligibility has paid off in a significant way.
The Wildcats' sixth-year center was selected with the first pick of the third round (No. 65 overall) in the 2022 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was the third Kentucky player selected on the second day of the draft, following second-round picks Wan'Dale Robinson (Giants) and Josh Paschal (Lions).
Fortner's selection marks the fourth consecutive year a Kentucky football offensive lineman has been drafted. Two other UK linemen (Darian Kinnard and Dare Rosenthal) are expected to be picked before the end of the draft Saturday.