All-state pick Torneden will stay home at Kansas

Last weekend Bryce Torneden took an unofficial visit to Kansas. The Free State product didn’t have to go far but the visit may have turned into a great opportunity.

This week the Kansas coaches offered Torneden a scholarship. On Wednesday Kansas defensive coordinator Clint Bowen had an in-home visit. After thinking things over he decided to attend Kansas. He told the Kansas coaches on Thursday.

“I’m very humbled and blessed to be in the position I am,” Torneden said. “I am very grateful for coach Beaty and coach Bowen approaching me with an offer.”

Bowen stayed in touch and recruited Torneden during the entire season. Although Torneden was committed to North Dakota State, Bowen kept recruiting him.

“He did a great job,” Torneden said of Bowen. “Obviously he is a Lawrence native and I thought it was really cool that he came around and recruited me. He shared his insight with me about Kansas and got me there.”

Torneden won an award two years ago at the Kansas Friday Night Lights camp. He’s been around the Kansas campus several times but it was good to take a visit last weekend and get a closer look.

“It was exciting,” he said. “I expected that being from Lawrence and going to the basketball game I know how it works at Allen fieldhouse. I was familiar with the campus but I was still impressed with everything. I haven’t been in the facilities for a while and they were nice. I was just excited to be there.”

This season Torneden played quarterback and defensive back for Free State. He was a first team All-Sunflower pick on both sides of the ball. He made the All-Simone team in the Kansas City area and was a first team all-state selection on defense. He also made the Top 11 teams for the Topeka Capital and Wichita Eagle.

His future as a Jayhawk will be at safety.

“They recruited me as a safety,” he said. “I’m excited about that. I consider myself an athlete so I am willing to play whatever spot they put me.”

Torneden will join former high school teammates Joe Dineen and Keith Loneker Jr. on the roster. One thing Bowen talked about was building the local program.

“Being a Lawrence guy he thinks I can help bring this program back up,” Torneden said. “He knows I will play for more than just myself. He knows I will play and compete for the program and the community of Lawrence.”