Jager Burton made strong impression at Shrine Bowl

The 2026 NFL Draft is now just a couple of months away. Down in Mobile, the Senior Bowl is getting started this week. Kentucky tailback Seth McGowan and offensive guard Jalen Farmer will both participate in the most popular showcase event. Each will be looking to make a splash similar to their old teammate.

Kentucky center Jager Burton just wrapped up a week at the Shrine Bowl. The multi-year starter at center and guard was one of the big winners of the event. Burton may have secured a Day 3 selection thanks to his strong performance.

I thought Kentucky IOL Jager Burton had a good first practice at @ShrineBowl

Got work at center and guard. Had a handful of complete reps where he showcased grip and core strength as well as strong base and quick feet pic.twitter.com/BE7wO7LWWd

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 23, 2026

Kentucky C Jager Burton looked like one of the better OL in individuals pic.twitter.com/vaoNlQRVqo

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 23, 2026

Nice job from #Kentucky C Jager Burton on the TE screen – lotta love on the streets for Burton down here at the Shrine Bowl pic.twitter.com/RQaVGOC1JV

— Fran Duffy (@FDuffyNFL) January 25, 2026

Jager Burton was a blue-chip recruiting win for Kentucky in the 2021 recruiting cycle when the Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass product decided to stay home. Burton picked the Cats over Ohio State, Oregon, and numerous others. After taking a redshirt in year one, Burton started all 13 games at left guard for the Cats in 2022. Kentucky tried to move the interior offensive lineman to center in 2023 but snapping inaccuracy made that a short-term experiment. Burton started 10 games at guard in 2024 before settling back in at center in 2025. The college football veteran is coming off a career year. Now the Kentucky product enters the draft with 46 career starts and over 2,600 snaps played.

The long time starter in Lexington made a big splash in his first opportunity to workout in front of NFL personnel. A scouting combine invitation is likely up next. Jager Burton should get an opportunity to show off more of his positional athleticism in Indianapolis and at Kentucky’s pro day. That could all add up to Burton becoming Kentucky’s first offensive line draft pick since Luke Fortner and Darian Kinnard in the 2022 NFL Draft.

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