KSR sits down with Tayden Lorenzen at Highlands High School

Kentucky Sports Radio spent Friday morning in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, where Ryan Lemond and I sat down with Highlands star Tayden Lorenzen, the son of the late Jared Lorenzen, for an interview between classes. Just like his old man, Tayden wears No. 22 for the Bluebirds, and he’s already making a name for himself under the Friday night lights. He’s helped Highlands earn a 4-1 record and a No. 7 statewide ranking in the KSR Top 25. Lorenzen scored a walk-off two-point conversion in double overtime against Frederick Douglass in the first game of the season.

KSR asked Tayden what it means to carry on his father’s legacy at Highlands and about the many similarities between them. “We walk the same, talk the same, look the same. The only thing that’s different is I’m right-handed,” Tayden told the show, admitting that he’s seen his dad’s highlights a thousand times.

But Tayden also wants to be like his dad in how he impacts others. “It’s great having people remember who he was and the person that he was, not just on the field but off the field. I want to have that same effect when people talk about me.”

“A spitting image”

After two segments with Tayden, KSR welcomed in Jared’s lifelong best friend and former Kentucky teammate, Derek Smith, to share stories about the Lorenzens. Smith, whose nephew is a Highlands teammate of Tayden, called Jared and Tayden spitting images of each other.

“It’s amazing to watch him play. I just remember growing up — again, Jared and I grew up from, literally, when we were five years old, playing football, baseball, basketball together — and so I got an up close and personal look at Jared and everything that he did.

“So then I’m standing in the stands watching (Tayden), you know, his mannerisms, everything is just a replica of Jared. When he gets tired, he holds his hands the same way on his hips. And Jared would be tired because the ball was in his hands for every play. Half of his touchdowns, he didn’t even celebrate, you know what I mean, because he was working so hard, and that happened Friday night. I mean, I’m looking at my dad, and I’m like, ‘he didn’t even celebrate the touchdown,’ because it’s just, he’s a workhorse, you know?

“He understands what the assignment is, and he’s so much like his father. It’s crazy, and it really is. It’s a blessing for me, and I have a lot of gratitude experience that whole thing and then be able to come back here for the game and watch him do it.”

Only a junior, Lorenzen, who considers himself positionless, has nine rushing touchdowns in five games, including three in a comeback win over Ryle last week. He also subs in at quarterback for Highlands. His coach told us that he has already thrown a left-handed pass, mirroring the throwing motion and the freestyle playmaking ability of his old man.

Hear more from Tayden about his high school career and his dad below. The first part of the interview is at the end of the first hour of the podcast, followed by part two and Derek Smith at the beginning of the second hour. Thanks to Highlands for hosting us for a morning.

KSR with Tayden Lorenzen and Derek Smith