Luke Fortner Bio
Luke Fortner is an American professional football center for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 15, 1998, in Cleveland, Ohio, he grew up in Sylvania, Ohio, and attended Sylvania Northview High School before playing college football for the Kentucky Wildcats. Fortner was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft and spent his first three professional seasons in Jacksonville before being traded to New Orleans in August 2025.
Early Life and Background
Luke Fortner was born on May 15, 1998, in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Sylvania, a suburb of Toledo in northwest Ohio. He attended Sylvania Northview High School, where he developed into a promising offensive lineman and began attracting the attention of college programs. His early football roots in Ohio helped shape the disciplined, physical approach that would later define his game.
Fortner came from a supportive Midwestern family environment, though specific details about his parents and upbringing are not widely documented. He balanced his athletic development with academic preparation throughout high school, setting the stage for a college career that would combine both pursuits.
Path to American Football
Fortner committed to the University of Kentucky, where he joined the Kentucky Wildcats football program and immediately began working toward a role on the offensive line. He redshirted his true freshman season, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the speed and physicality of Southeastern Conference football. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in eight games, giving him valuable experience in reserve duty.
During his redshirt sophomore season, Fortner played in 11 of Kentucky’s 13 games, continuing his steady progression. Going into his redshirt junior year, he was named the Wildcats’ starting left guard, a position he held while starting all 13 games in 2019. He then started 10 games during Kentucky’s COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign, establishing himself as one of the most reliable interior linemen in the conference.
Fortner decided to use the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes affected by the coronavirus pandemic and returned to Kentucky for a sixth season. He moved to center during fall training camp, where his combination of size, intelligence, and technique earned him first-team All-Southeastern Conference recognition from the league’s coaches in 2021.
Luke Fortner Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Luke Fortner was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round, 65th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. He entered the league as a highly regarded center prospect thanks to his All-SEC senior season and his rare academic credentials. The Jaguars named him their starting center as a rookie, an unusual vote of confidence for a third-round pick.
Fortner operated as a full-time starter in both 2022 and 2023, anchoring the interior of Jacksonville’s offensive line during a competitive stretch for the franchise. Across his first two NFL seasons, he showed the consistency and football IQ that had defined his college career.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2022–2024)
Throughout his time in Jacksonville, Luke Fortner appeared in 51 total games for the Jaguars. In those appearances, he recovered one fumble on offense while losing two, demonstrating reliability in ball-security situations despite the line’s heavy workload. His role as a full-time starter gave him extensive experience against top AFC defensive fronts.
Fortner’s usage changed in 2024, when he shifted into a backup role behind the Jaguars’ new starting center. Even in a reduced capacity, he continued to contribute on special teams and in spot duty on the offensive line. His three-year tenure in Jacksonville ended when the team agreed to trade him in mid-August 2025.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
On August 17, 2025, Luke Fortner was traded to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. The move gave the Saints an experienced center with three full NFL seasons on his resume. For Fortner, the trade represented a fresh opportunity to compete for a starting role in a new offensive system.
He joined a Saints offensive line in transition, with the team looking to stabilize the interior positions. Fortner’s arrival added depth, competition, and a proven veteran presence to the group heading into the 2025 regular season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Fortner’s most notable milestones include being named first-team All-SEC in 2021, becoming a third-round NFL draft pick in 2022, and starting as a rookie center for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also reached the rare distinction of graduating from the University of Kentucky in May 2022 with three degrees: a bachelor’s, a master’s in mechanical engineering, and an MBA, underscoring his reputation as one of the most academically accomplished players in his draft class.
Luke Fortner Career Wins
Luke Fortner’s professional résumé does not feature individual postseason awards or championship titles at the NFL level, as his primary contributions have come as a steady interior offensive lineman. His most celebrated individual honor remains his first-team All-SEC selection in 2021 at Kentucky. He has appeared in 51 career regular-season games for the Jacksonville Jaguars across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons.
Luke Fortner Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Luke Fortner was raised in Sylvania, Ohio, by a family whose specific members have not been publicly documented in detail. He has maintained a relatively private personal life since entering the NFL. Details about a spouse or children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Luke Fortner’s first year with the New Orleans Saints after his August 17 trade from Jacksonville. He joined a Saints team focused on rebuilding its offensive line and establishing consistency in the running game. His experience as a three-year NFL starter provides New Orleans with a dependable veteran option at center.
Fortner is expected to compete for a significant role along the Saints’ interior line during training camp and the early portion of the regular season. His track record of durability, intelligence, and pass protection will be central factors in determining his snap count. The trade also reunited Fortner with an organization looking to develop young quarterbacks, where reliable interior play is critical.
As the 2025 season progresses, Fortner’s performance in practice and preseason will shape his role with the Saints. His ability to adapt to a new scheme and coaching staff will determine whether he reclaims a full-time starting job or serves as a high-level rotational piece. Either way, his presence strengthens the depth of a New Orleans offensive line aiming to improve on recent results.