A pair of former Wildcats are teaming up once again, this time in the Big Easy. According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Jacksonville Jaguars are trading center Luke Fortner to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. Fortner, who played at Kentucky from 2016-21, had spent all three seasons […]
![Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) runs onto the field before an NFL first round playoff football matchup Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Los Angeles Chargers on a field goal 31-30. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://media.zenfs.com/en/inside_hilltopper_sports_140/56565072e33fce0ce9aa4777bab52c1a)
A pair of former Wildcats are teaming up once again, this time in the Big Easy.
According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Jacksonville Jaguars are trading center Luke Fortner to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. Fortner, who played at Kentucky from 2016-21, had spent all three seasons of his pro career with the Jags, which drafted him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He appeared in all 51 possible games for the franchise.
Fornter was a full-time starter in Jacksonville during his first two seasons, but struggled in year three and was limited to a reserve role. The 27-year-old is expected to be a backup option at center in New Orleans, where he’ll join former ‘Cat Landon Young on the offensive line. Fortner and Young were teammates at UK from 2016-20.
An interesting note on this trade: the Jaguars and Saints played each other just hours before this deal was reported. The preseason matchup ended in a 17-17 draw. Young and Fortner both saw the field as opponents, but they’ll end the day as teammates.
Category: Football
