JACKSONVILLE — This night couldn’t have been better for Luke Fortner.
“I haven’t stopped smiling all night, to be honest with you,” he said. “I’m really excited.”
Fortner, an offensive lineman from the University of Kentucky, on Friday became the first offensive player selected by the Jaguars in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Jaguars selected him with the first selection of the third round, the No. 65 selection overall.
“There’s a lot to like about Luke,” Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said. “When you meet this kid, he’s wired the right way.”
Fortner (6-feet-4, 307 pounds) started 23 games at guard in 2019-2020 and 13 at center this past season. He was an All-Southeastern Conference selection at center this past season, and Pederson said he will play center for the Jaguars.
Brandon Linder, the Jaguars’ starting center since 2014, retired in January – and the Jaguars re-signed veteran and longtime reserve center Tyler Shatley in March.
“Obviously, we took him as a center and he’ll play…