Watertown-Mayer is lowkey stacked going into the 2026 season, with experience, size, and physicality oozing out of the Royals‘ 2027 graduating class on the gridiron. One of these returners is Karson Tufte Karson Tufte 5'11" | 170 lbs | LB/EDGE Watertown-Mayer | 2027 State MN , a 5’11, 170-180 lb. standup OLB and EDGE rusher who can read, trigger, and close on ball carriers in a hurry, making a living in the backfield of opposing offenses in 2025 as a junior. He’s a strong 1v1 tackler, runs the alley well and takes good angles to the football, and is impressively effective at making tough, high-pressure, 1v1 tackles in the pocket and behind the LOS against jittery QBs and tailbacks. Tufte attacks blockers with proper leverage, and the 2x All-District pick, who posted 10+ TFLs & sacks in 2025 judging from the tape, must be accounted for off the edge by opposing blocking schemes. Tufte also was named the Royals‘ Team Defensive MVP in 2025 thanks to his efforts, which local DIIIs, NAIAs, and JUCOs need to get in contact with ASAP. Also, Karson, make your way over to Plymouth on April 18th for the PRZMN Spring Exposure Series stop in the Land of 10,000 Lakes! We’d love to see you work.