Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) — Hour 2, September 22, 2025

Hosts: Ryan Lemond, Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Shannon The Dude
Location: Live from Fort Thomas Highlands High School
Theme: Celebrating the Legacy of Jared Lorenzen and the Rise of Tayton Lorenzen, Community, and Kentucky Sports

Episode Overview

This episode of KSR centers on a deeply personal and local angle: the hosts broadcast live from Fort Thomas Highlands High, home of the late Kentucky football legend Jared Lorenzen and now his son, Tayton Lorenzen. Through interviews with Tayton and Jared’s longtime friend/teammate Derek Smith, the crew explores the pressure, pride, and expectations that come with a famous Kentucky surname, plus the vibrant football culture of Highlands. The episode blends nostalgia, personal growth, and spirited community discussion, while also checking in on UK’s football/basketball programs and some lighter moments around airplane etiquette and daily life.

Highlights and Key Segments

1. [03:35]–[14:47]

Interview with Tayton Lorenzen

• Background:
  • Tayton is the son of beloved Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen.
  • He plays at Highlands High, wears his dad’s #22, and embraces the community’s hopes for his future.

Growing up Lorenzen

• Pressure and Pride:
  • Tayton reflects on living up to his dad's legacy.
  • “My main goal in life is to act exactly like he did towards me... He was always the most humble guy possible.” — Tayton Lorenzen [04:24]
• On Handling Expectations:
  • “As long as I be myself, I can carry that on as much as possible.” — Tayton Lorenzen [05:00]

The Highlands Football Experience

• Community Support:
  • Emphasized the unique atmosphere—tailgates all over town, student section travels to away games; “the spirit we bring to Kentucky football.” — Tayton Lorenzen [06:22]
• Family Nostalgia:
  • Ryan Lemond reminisces on watching “Little Man” (Tayton) grow up; pride from the Kentucky community.

Rituals, Emotions, and Legacy

• Pregame Routines:
  • Tayton is low-key: “I have no, always pregame, this superstition. None of that. I literally just get ready and go play a game.” [07:04]
• Football Passion:
  • Not as “die hard” as Jared was, but definitely a UK fan.
    • “There’s a line between Die Hard and UK Fan, and I don’t know if I’m going to cross that line...” — Tayton Lorenzen [07:39]
• Super Bowl & Championship Rings:
  • Has seen his dad’s Super Bowl ring but doesn’t “trust himself” with it.
  • Fun memory: seeing a state championship ring at dinner with one of Jared’s high school teammates.

Personality and Favorite Memories

• Locker Room Presence:
  • Tayton: “I have a lot of friends and we joke around a lot...” [09:18]
• Favorite Play of Jared’s:
  • Not the famous behind-the-back throw, but Jared’s 40-yard run vs. Louisville: “That was his first snap.” [09:55]
• Favorite Personal Play:
  • “Northern Kentucky Football League championship against the Bandits... My dad—first time I ever seen my dad run, ever—he ran onto the field and gave me a chest bump...” [10:54]
• Running vs. Throwing:
  • Likes being a runner: “I’m not... running around anybody. So it’s either a stiff arm or I’m going to run through you. That’s all I can try and do.” [12:18]
• Touchdown Dances:
  • “The first time I’ve ever done a touchdown dance was my first touchdown against Ryle and I'll probably never do one again. But...I did it just to make everybody happy...” [12:31]

Friendship and Community

• On his close friends: Names Aiden Duncan, Gabe Williams, Kale Harris, and Chase Jacob as key connections.
• Feeling the State’s Support:
  • “It’s great having the state behind me... wherever I go.” [13:52]

Light Moments

• Left-Handed Throw:
  • “Yeah, it was a freshman game.” — On being asked if he’d ever thrown a touchdown left-handed [14:30]

2. [18:28]–[28:19]

Interview with Derek Smith – Jared’s High School/UK Teammate

The Magic of the Lorenzen Name

• “Every...mannerism, everything is just a replica of Jared...He’s a workhorse...he’s so much like his father, it’s crazy.” — Derek Smith [19:00]
• Derek recounts childhood with Jared and “traveling roadshow” status for their games.

Reflections on Legacy and Pressure

• “His father laid the groundwork and his father did all this work...I think it’s only appropriate that Tayton gets to kind of swim in those riches a little bit...” [21:04]
• “He's got to be a kid. He's got to have fun with his teammates. He's got to be able to be Tayton...” — Derek Smith [25:19]

Highlands Pride/Tradition

• Recalls how packed gyms and fields were for Jared and Derek’s games.
• Highlands’ continued drive to reclaim state powerhouse status: “We still feel like we might be the best Highlands football team ever, but...can’t say we’re the Best Highlands basketball team ever...” [22:02]

Jared’s Impact and Community

• On giving Jared’s Hall of Fame speech: “Probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done...but I’m really glad I did it. We just…lived in the moment, and we were able to do so many great things.” [23:28]

Current Kentucky Football (with Derek Smith)

• On UK’s chances vs. South Carolina:
  • “There's no reason why we can't win that game. No reason.” [27:12]
• High on using tight ends more in current offense.
• Thoughts on UK tight end recruit Willie Rodriguez (from Covington Catholic): “As a former tight end, I was like, man, it’s just to see great tight ends keep going at Kentucky.” [27:28]

3. [29:16]–[32:34]

Reds Playoff Race + Matt Jones in South Africa

• Matt is away on safari (without a phone!), podcasting with the crew via a special iPad.
• Hilarious stories about life without his phone and seeing wild baboons wandering city streets.

Notable Quote

• On Matt not having a phone: “Of all the people in the world that can’t handle life without a telephone, it’s Matt Jones.” — Shannon The Dude [32:12]

4. [33:02]–[37:45]

Airplane Etiquette Debate

• Ryan tells a story about peeking at seat-mates' phones on a flight, watching them sell crystals on eBay or bet football games.
• Light and relatable discussion about unwritten airplane “rules,” armrest rights, and awkward travel moments.

Humorous Moments

• “The WI fi wasn't working. But he...scrolled with his nose.” — Shannon [35:35]

5. [37:50]–[40:49]

Listener Call & UK Football Defensive Coordinator Brad White

• Caller Steve critiques Brad White’s play-calling—good developer/recruiter but wants a more aggressive defense.
• Hosts weigh in: solid body of work, but agree with some complaints about not blitzing enough.
• Note on possible future coaching search at UK; Brad White is a candidate if Stoops ever leaves.

6. [43:17]–[49:11]

Basketball Practice Begins & Recruiting Notes

• Update: basketball team is ramping up practices—more time on the court, early buzz around Coach Pope’s new squad.
• Noteworthy Lineups: Aberdeen, Noah, Cam Williams, Diabate, Garrison—depth and hard work highlighted.
• High praises for Jaden Quaint, “could be the best player, highest draft pick” (per recent shows & scouting).
• “Mountain Mamba” nickname for Trent Noah.
• Noted that Tayton is just 16—a junior but could be a freshman; plenty of time to grow, more offers to come.

7. [49:46+]

Closing Shout-Outs & Big Blue Community

• Vince Marrow (former UK assistant, now at another school) texts: “I love that kid” about Tayton Lorenzen.
• Hosts laugh about the “recruitment” angle and how allegiances flip with time.

Notable Quotes

• “My main goal in life is to act exactly like he did towards me...He never said anything bad unless I did something wrong.” — Tayton Lorenzen [04:24]
• “He crossed it. He absolutely crossed it. He was Die Hard all the way.” — Ryan Lemond, on Jared’s UK fandom [07:57]
• “I’ve always had an arm, but I think when I run the ball, I don’t know, it’s just like it’s worked and we haven’t changed anything. There’s no reason to if it’s working.” — Tayton Lorenzen [11:46]
• “He’s a workhorse, you know, He. He understands what the assignment is, and he’s just...He’s so much like his father. It’s crazy.” — Derek Smith [19:00]
• “He’s got to be a kid. He’s got to have fun with his teammates. He’s got to be able to be Tayton.” — Derek Smith [25:19]
• “Of all the people in the world that can’t handle life without a telephone, it’s Matt Jones.” — Shannon The Dude [32:12]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:35] – Start of Tayton Lorenzen interview
• [04:24] – Living up to Jared’s legacy
• [05:51] – Highlands community Fridays
• [07:04] – Tayton’s approach to rituals
• [09:18] – Locker room personality
• [10:54] – Favorite childhood sports memories
• [13:52] – Feeling the state’s support
• [18:28] – Interview with Derek Smith begins
• [19:00] – Derek on Tayton as Jared’s mirror
• [21:04] – On carrying the Lorenzen mystique
• [27:12] – Derek on Kentucky’s chances vs. South Carolina
• [29:16] – Reds/Matt in Africa segment
• [33:02] – Airplane etiquette story
• [37:50] – Listener call on Brad White/UK defense
• [43:17] – Basketball ramp-up segment
• [49:46] – Vince Marrow’s playful recruiting text

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Friendly, heartfelt, and nostalgic; a blend of locker room warmth and Kentucky sports passion. The hosts display deep affection for Jared Lorenzen’s memory and strong hopes for Tayton, while laughing through the quirks and camaraderie that make KSR an institution among UK fans. The episode underscores the unique magic of Kentucky high school football, family legacies, and the close-knit Big Blue Nation.

For new listeners:
This episode is a window into the heart of central Kentucky sporting culture—where high school football blends with state pride, family legacies are celebrated, and everyone roots for the next big thing, all with a healthy dose of humor and community spirit.