Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) - Hour 1

Date: September 22, 2025
Location: Live at Fort Thomas Highlands High School
Hosts: Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon the Dude
Core Topic: Honoring friendships, Kentucky sports updates, and a special conversation with Tayden Lorenzen, son of UK legend Jared Lorenzen

Episode Overview

This heartfelt Monday edition of Kentucky Sports Radio goes beyond sports, as the crew gathers at Fort Thomas Highlands High School for a pop-up show dedicated to community, loss, legacy, and Kentucky athletics. The episode features an emotional tribute to a beloved friend, spotlights Northern Kentucky’s significance to UK fandom, dives into UK football's prospects, discusses new SEC scheduling updates, and sits down with Tayden Lorenzen—son of the late UK football star Jared Lorenzen—for an in-depth conversation about carrying the family legacy forward.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Drew Franklin Returns: Remembering Manny (03:36–09:13)

• Drew Franklin returns after a difficult week, mourning the loss of his best friend Manny. He talks candidly about grief, the importance of friendship, community support, and how much Manny meant to so many:
  • "You just never know. But yeah, our world got pretty rocked and I appreciate you all let me step away to grieve, be with his friends and family." (03:57)
  • “That was the thing about Manny—I think about everyone in that church thought they were a best friend because that’s what he did.” (04:10)
  • The KSR team reminisces about Manny’s passion for Kentucky sports, including fond memories and laughter during the eulogy.
  • Drew reflects: “Anytime you have those opportunities...stay close and love your people.” (07:18)
  • They reiterate the importance of expressing emotion and love for friends, breaking the stereotype that men shouldn’t show vulnerability.

2. Live from Northern Kentucky: Fort Thomas Highlands & the Lorenzen Legacy (09:17–13:45)

• The show highlights how Northern Kentucky fans often feel overlooked and spotlights famous athletes from Fort Thomas Highlands, including Jared Lorenzen, and now his son, Tayden.
• Drew explores the school’s Hall of Fame and their local football heritage.
• Anticipation builds for the upcoming interview with Tayden Lorenzen (“He's not little Tayden anymore. He’s a man child!” – 11:36).

3. UK Football: South Carolina Preview & Bye Week Assessment (16:15–25:16)

• The hosts break down UK’s upcoming game against South Carolina following a bye week, expressing cautious optimism:
  • Discussion on South Carolina’s recent struggles: “They just couldn’t run the football and they couldn’t stop the run.” (16:34)
  • Analysis of Kentucky’s offensive strategies and quarterback Cutter Bowley’s first SEC road start.
  • Shannon shares concerning bye-week stats: “Under Mark Stoops out of a bye week, they're 6–10...not good.” (19:18)
  • Skepticism about national perception of Kentucky football—“People just don’t believe in Kentucky yet” (23:46)—despite improving performance.
  • Amusing recap of last week’s KSR parlay picks (“Mario picked Tulane over Ole Miss in Oxford...horrible pick” – 24:43).

4. The SEC’s New Permanent Opponents Announcement (27:56–32:19)

• Breaking news: The SEC announces future permanent opponents for each team.
  • Kentucky’s: Tennessee, Florida, and South Carolina.
  • “That was, if you were on DraftKings, that was going to be one of the top picks for sure.” (28:39)
• The crew debates the competitive balance of the new scheduling, noting Auburn’s particularly tough draw (Alabama, Georgia, Vandy).
• Drew expresses nostalgia and urgency: “I just want to win an SEC game at Kroger Field...to reward all those people that drive all over...and can’t get a win.” (31:46)

5. Spotlight: Tayden Lorenzen Interview (39:22–49:41)

A deeply personal and memorable conversation with Tayden, son of Jared Lorenzen:

• Carrying the Legacy:
  • Tayden embraces public comparisons to his father:
    • “We walk the same, talk the same, look the same. The only thing that's different, I'm right handed.” (40:55)
  • On watching his father’s legendary highlights:
    • “I watch huddle and I watch film of myself, and then I watch him, and it's like we're the same person. That's weird.” (41:27)
• The Pressure and Pride of #22:
  • Wearing the famous Highlands #22 jersey:
    • “It's great having people remember who he was and the person that he was, not just on the field, but off the field. And I want to have that same effect on myself.” (40:31)
• His Position and Future:
  • Unsure what role he’ll play in college (“Honestly, once I get there...I'm an athlete as of now.” – 45:08).
  • On recruitment: “If I'm the player that I need to be, then the calls will come.” (44:44)
  • His offers and visits: Miami (OH) has offered; Louisville shown interest, but Kentucky fans have opinions!
• Personal Attitude and Humor:
  • On inheriting Jared's nickname spirit and body positivity:
    • “I'm a comfy guy...there’s nothing bad about being overweight. It's just if you are, you just have to embrace it.” (46:16)
  • Hosts reflect, “That’s the exact same attitude he would have. Just another similarity.” (46:33)
• Highlands Football & State Title Aspirations:
  • “Our goal every year is to win a state championship. Of course there's been a drought...all we can do as a team is work hard in the weight room.” (43:38)

6. Around Kentucky and the SEC (32:19–39:22)

• Brief review of recent SEC games and upsets, including musings on tailgating at Nebraska (“Nebraska football fans are kind of like Kentucky basketball fans: if you’re at the airport, everybody’s wearing red.” – 25:39).
• Drew jokes about SEC officiating blunders and future matchups.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Grief and Friendship

• “Everybody wishes they had a friend like Manny. And like you said, he was that friend to everybody.” – Ryan (04:54)
• “Anytime you have those opportunities...all of you out there, friends, family, whatever, stay close and love your people.” – Drew (07:18)

On the Lorenzen Legacy

• “It's surreal. You know, you're seeing Jared Jr. out there running around playing football.” – Ryan (40:44)
• “I'm right handed, that's the only thing that's different.” – Tayden Lorenzen (40:55)
• “We walk the same, talk the same, look the same. The only thing that's different, I'm right handed.” – Tayden (40:55)
• “There’s nothing bad about being overweight. It’s just if you are, you just have to embrace it.” – Tayden (46:16)

On Kentucky Football

• “South Carolina just could not run the football...Do we dare dream a little bit?” – Ryan (16:23)
• “Under Mark Stoops out of a bye week, they're 6–10...not good.” – Shannon (19:18)
• “People just don’t believe in Kentucky yet. I think it’s a bigger statement about them than it is South Carolina.” – Shannon (23:46)
• “I just want to win an SEC game in Kroger Field...reward all those people that drive all over, pay that money, sit there all day for one of the worst experiences in the conference and can’t get a win.” – Drew (31:46)

On Recruiting Rivalry

• “If a guy named Vince Marrow calls you, hang up. Just hang up.” – Ryan, joking to Tayden about the UK-Louisville rivalry (47:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:36–09:13: Tribute to Manny, coping with loss, the meaning of friendship
• 09:17–13:45: Focus on Northern Kentucky’s UK legacy; Highlands High School football history
• 16:15–25:16: UK football bye week recap; South Carolina game preview
• 27:56–32:19: SEC permanent opponents announced and discussed
• 39:22–49:41: Full Tayden Lorenzen interview—family legacy, recruitment, life as Jared’s son, ambitions
• 32:19–39:22: Broader analysis of SEC, Kentucky, Nebraska tailgating, and atmosphere comparisons

Episode Conclusion

This KSR hour blends emotion, local pride, and deep sports analysis, creating a vibrant tapestry of Kentucky sports and community. Whether grappling with loss or building new legacies, the crew crafts a show that’s meaningful well beyond wins and losses, with a moving reminder that friendship, history, and love for the team are always worth celebrating.