Kass Huntsman Does It All for Layton’s Defense

This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026 episode. Watch the full show.

Layton hybrid safety Kass Huntsman has done a little of everything this season: 87 tackles, 40 of them solo, a pile of tackles for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery, pass breakups and a blocked field goal against Timpview.

Late against Weber, with the score tied at 23 and about a minute and a half left, his film study paid off. "Screen pass was really prevalent," Huntsman said. "Kind of knew that was going to happen." He read it and blew it up for a five-yard loss.

Against Copper Hills, he rolled down from Cover 3 for one of his biggest hits of the year. "Once the ball was snapped, kind of got a little bit outside, the linebackers kind of cut up and I just flew down and made it," he said.

His interception came against American Fork, in a game where he made 19 tackles and recovered a fumble. He and his safety coach had worked all week on slow playing. "I kind of slow play over the middle to try and bait the quarterback into throwing that seam ball," he said.

Three of Layton's losses have come by seven points or less, including a 21-20 loss to West Field. "This season meant a lot to me," Huntsman said. "I've grown a lot as a football player and also as a person this season."

He has played alongside Luke Byers, who leads the state in tackles, since they were kids. "Luke's a baller," he said. "One of the best players I've ever played with my entire life." Lineman Trayce McKinley "eats all the blocks."

Huntsman spent most of high school focused on wrestling, but this fall changed that. "I kind of realized my love for football is a lot greater than wrestling," he said. "I love football, everything about it."

Layton closes the season at Farmington on Wednesday, Oct. 14.