Kentucky OL Jager Burton Looks to Capitalize on Breakout Senior Season at 2026 NFL Draft

The former blue-chip recruit stayed home to play for the Wildcats and is now poised to be a late-round draft pick.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an offensive lineman engaged in a blocking play, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, green, and gold representing the University of Kentucky colors.Kentucky's Jager Burton's resilience and positional versatility have him on the NFL's radar ahead of the 2026 draft.Lexington Today

Jager Burton, a four-year starter on the offensive line for the University of Kentucky, is entering the 2026 NFL Draft after a standout redshirt senior season. The former blue-chip recruit from Lexington, Kentucky chose to stay home and play for the Wildcats, where he dealt with position changes and growing pains early in his career before finding his footing at center in 2025. Burton's athleticism, experience, and resilience have him positioned as a likely Day 3 draft selection.

Why it matters

Burton's journey from highly touted high school prospect to potential NFL draft pick showcases the challenges and perseverance required to make it at the next level. As an in-state player who chose to stay home, his story resonates with the Kentucky fanbase and highlights the program's ability to develop talent. Additionally, the 2026 NFL Draft is an important event for the Wildcats, who are expected to have several players selected.

The details

After a redshirt season in 2021, Burton stepped into a starting role as a redshirt freshman in 2022 when injuries ravaged Kentucky's offensive line. He struggled through growing pains that season, then was asked to slide inside to center as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. Burton had snapping accuracy problems and had to slide back to guard, where he played through injuries in 2024. Despite the adversity, Burton decided to stay at Kentucky for his final year of eligibility. That proved to be a wise decision, as the veteran center had his best season yet in 2025, anchoring an improved offensive line and becoming one of Kentucky's top players.

  • Burton redshirted in the 2021 season.
  • In 2022, Burton stepped into a starting role on the offensive line as a redshirt freshman.
  • Burton was asked to play center as a redshirt sophomore in 2023, but struggled with snapping accuracy.
  • Burton played through injuries at guard in 2024.
  • In 2025, Burton won the starting center job and had a standout redshirt senior season.

The players

Jager Burton

A four-year starter on the offensive line for the University of Kentucky, Burton is now poised to be a late-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft after a breakout redshirt senior season at center.

Evan Wibberley

A transfer from Western Kentucky University, Wibberley competed with Burton for the starting center job at Kentucky in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like there's so much potential with this team...I want to be a part of it.”

— Jager Burton, Kentucky Offensive Lineman

What’s next

Burton will look to impress NFL scouts at Kentucky's pro day and any pre-draft workouts in the coming weeks, as he aims to solidify his status as a late-round draft pick.

The takeaway

Jager Burton's journey from highly touted high school recruit to potential NFL draft pick showcases the perseverance and development required to succeed at the next level. Despite facing adversity and position changes early in his career, Burton's commitment to Kentucky paid off with a standout senior season that has him poised to hear his name called during the 2026 NFL Draft.