Frogs and football: Kaden Vest exemplifies old-school approach for Spanish Fork
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- Spanish Fork senior Kaden Vest celebrates scoring a touchdown during the 4A semifinal game against Ridgeline at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork senior Kaden Vest carries the ball up the field during the 4A championship game against Crimson Cliffs at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork’s Kaden Vest (5) carries the ball against Mountain View during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork senior running back Kaden Vest runs the ball up the field during the Region 8 game against Salem Hills in Spanish Fork on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork’s Kaden Vest carries the ball against Mountain View during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork’s Kaden Vest (5) celebrates a touchdown during a high school football game against Mountain View on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork senior Kaden Vest carries the ball up the field during the 4A championship game against Crimson Cliffs at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
Truth is, Spanish Fork’s Kaden Vest is almost as good at fishing and catching frogs as he is at running the football.
Almost.
Vest was virtually unstoppable toting the rock this season and he’s the Daily Herald 2024 Football Player of the Year.
Vest’s old-school, small town approach to life was earned growing up in Spanish Fork, hanging out with lifelong buddies like his quarterback, McKay Smith, wide receiver Brock Jacobson, and offensive lineman Ethan Smith. One of their favorite pastimes is catching frogs at Utah Lake and frying ’em up.
On the football field, Vest was busy cooking opponent’s defenses. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior ran 303 times for 2,639 yards (8.7 yards per carry) and 32 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 381 yards and six more scores.
The 2,639 rushing yards is third all-time in Utah high school history behind Jaylen Warren of East (3,099, 2016) and Josh Davis of Alta (2,645, 2016). Vest’s 38 touchdowns scored is also tied for third all-time.
Vest ran for more than 200 yards seven times in 2024, with a high of 325 yards on 23 carries (14.1 per carry) against Provo. In the 4A state championship game, he ran 37 times for 210 yards and five touchdowns.
“I’ve coached a lot of kids and I’ve never coached a tougher kid than Kaden Vest,” Spanish Fork coach Dustin Smith said. “He make it really hard for other guys to take plays off or to take the weight room off, because of his work ethic. Kaden is a captain but not a mouthpiece. Other guys talked and he would at times, but he really led with grit and toughness and by example. It was hard for other boys and the coaches to have a whole lot of patience for those not willing to sacrifice to win like he did.”
Vest credited his offensive line, naturally, led by 6-foot-8, 285-pound USC signee Aaron Dunn at right tackle. Also plowing the road for Vest’s record season was Levi Christley, Ethan Smith, Howie Kinikini, McKay Mayer, Elias Naulu and Kale Cabrero.
“All the glory goes to them,” Vest said. “I have a great offensive line with a lot of returning starters from last year. They are tough, tough dudes. They’re strong kids that love to play football and they are all competitors. They did a freaking crazy good job this year.”
Vest had a good junior year, rushing for 1,334 yard on 218 carries (6.1 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns. He put in a lot of hard work in the offseason to get even better.
“Kaden really committed himself to his body and his speed,” Coach Smith said. “Very few players can tackle Kaden one-on-one. He runs so low to the ground and keeps his legs churning. Another thing was that he didn’t lose one fumble all season. Last year he had a handful of fumbles so that was a big focus in the offseason. Kaden also made a big jump with his patience in letting holes develop and shifting gears at the right time.”
In addition to Vest’s big numbers, McKay Smith completed 69% of his passes for 3,208 yards, 30 touchdowns and just five interception. Jacobson caught 89 passes for 1,345 yards and 15 scores. Spanish Fork’s offense produced 6,804 total yards, the eighth best mark in state history.
Coach Smith has a picture of Vest, McKay Smith and Jacobson when they were in fourth grade, holding hands before the coin flip of a youth football game.
The three friends broke a combined nine school records in 2024.
“Growing up with McKay and Brock and a lot of my teammates in Spanish Fork, it was awesome,” Vest said. “I loved it. McKay, Brock and I all played football together. We all went to junior high together, which made for lot of chemistry. It was blast playing with them. We love to hunt, camp, and fish. We hang out and go to lunch. We’re pretty competitive about everything, whether it’s something small or big.”
The No. 4-seed Dons upset No. 1 Ridgeline (21-14) in the 4A semifinals to advance to the state championship game for only the second time in school history. Spanish Fork took a 42-21 lead against No. 2 and defending state champion Crimson Cliffs, nine minutes away from a title. But the Mustangs rallied and eventually won the game in triple overtime, 57-55.
A heartbreaking loss, to be sure, but it doesn’t diminish the magnificent season that took place in south county.
“It was so cool,” Vest said. “It was such a special season and a special group. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but we gave it our all. It was really cool to see the community show up at Rice-Eccles Stadium (for the semifinals and finals) and it was really good for the community. We had a great time this year.”
Coach Smith added: “Every single kid lived in Spanish Fork boundaries. The way we got to the finals, with most of our guys playing both ways, I’ve been told by Spanish Fork old timers that this team really captured the old school feel.”
Vest said he plans to serve a church mission but has a desire to play college football when he returns.
“There’s no question he’s a next-level running back,” Coach Smith said. “There are college running backs right now that have very similar measurables. He’s only 18, so his upside is huge. He can still get better, stronger and faster. Because he catches the ball so well, he could fit in a Division I offense and be productive and durable.”
One of a Kind
Kaden Vest is the first Spanish Fork athlete to be named the Daily Herald Football Player of the Year. Here are winners from other sports for the Dons, including 17 from softball.
1993 Helen Hjorth, Girls Volleyball
2000 Kristy Miller, Softball
2001 Kristy Miller, Softball
2001 Jason Ward, Baseball
2001 David Kidman, Boys Soccer
2002 Jordan Webb, Boys Wrestling
2006 Jace Brinkerhoff, Baseball
2006 Jessica Anderson, Softball
2007 Whitney Holm, Softball
2009 Brock Duke, Baseball
2009 Katelyn Elliot, Softball
2010 Dezlee Roberts, Softball
2011 Kayden Porter, Baseball
2011 Kailey Christensen, Softball
2012 Kylee Wolf, Softball
2015 Kaylee Bott, Softball
2016 Cambrie Hazel, Softball
2017 Cambrie Hazel, Softball
2018 Jordyn Bates, Softball
2019 Briley Young, Softball
2021 Brooklyn Pintar, Softball
2022 Avery Sapp, Softball
2023 Avery Sapp, Softball
2024 Jade Romero, Softball
2024 Kaden Vest, Football
