Darius Muasau

Last updated

Darius Muasau
No. 57 – New York Giants
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (2001-02-10) February 10, 2001 (age 23)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school: Mililani (Mililani, Hawaii)
College: Hawaii (2019–2021)
UCLA (2022–2023)
NFL draft: 2024  / Round: 6 / Pick: 183
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards

Darius Muasau (born February 10, 2001) is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hawaii and UCLA.

Contents

High school career

Muasau attended Mililani High School in Hawaii, where he was a linebacker and running back. As a senior, he was named to the USA Today All-USA Hawaii Football Second Team. [1]

Muasau committed to playing college football at Hawaii in 2018, the lone Division I FBS offer he received. [2] [3]

College career

Hawaii

2019

Muasau started the season as a backup linebacker and special teamer, but was thrust into action early in the season due to injuries to the Rainbow Warriors linebacking corps. [4] In his first career start against rival Fresno State, Muasau led the team in total tackles and also recovered a key onside kick that set up the then-game tying drive for Hawaii. [5]

2020

In a stellar 2020 season, Muasau led the Rainbow Warriors in tackles as well as ranking fourth in the nation at solo tackles and fifth in total tackles. He was also named the most outstanding player on defense of the 2020 New Mexico Bowl, compiling nine tackles, one sack and an interception in the performance. [6]

Muasau was named an All-Mountain West first team selection in 2020, the only Hawaii player to garner first-team honors, as well as an honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele. [7] [8] He was also named a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, but ultimately lost out to Zach Wilson and Talanoa Hufanga. [9]

2021

Muasau had another productive season in 2021, compiling 108 total tackles, seven sacks, and five forced fumbles. After the season concluded, Muasau announced on December 28, 2021 that he would be entering the transfer portal.

UCLA

On January 1, 2022, Muasau announced on social media that he would transfer to UCLA. [10]

College statistics

YearClassGPTacklesDef IntFumbles
SoloAstTotalTFLSacksINTYardsPDFR
2019 Freshman 134416603.00.00002
2020 Sophomore 966361029.54.51110
2021 Junior 13654310814717541
Career351759527026.511.527653
Source: [11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
5 ft 11+7⁄8 in
(1.83 m)		225 lb
(102 kg)		31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		4.70 s1.59 s2.72 s4.41 s7.23 s36.5 in
(0.93 m)		9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [12] [13]

Muasau was drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round, 183rd overall, of the 2024 NFL draft.

Personal life

Muasau's younger brother Sergio is currently an offensive lineman at Hawaii. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Norton Jr.</span> American football player and coach (born 1966)

Kenneth Howard Norton Jr. is an American football coach and former player who is the linebackers coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft. Norton won three Super Bowls during his playing career with the Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers and became coach in 2004, later serving as a defensive coordinator with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. He is the son of former world champion heavyweight boxer Ken Norton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mililani High School</span> Public, co-educational school in Mililani, Hawaii, United States

Mililani High School is the only public high school located in Mililani Town CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. on the island of Oʻahu.

Mark Pulemau Tuinei was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Known as a "gentle giant", his career lasted for 15 years (1983–1997) and his ability to protect quarterback Troy Aikman and to run-block for running back Emmitt Smith helped them win Super Bowls in 1992, 1993, and 1995 and the NFC East Division in 1985 and 1992-96. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl in 1994 and 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Ulbrich</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Jeffery Wade Ulbrich is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hawaii and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round in the 2000 NFL Draft and played for the 49ers from 2000 to 2009.

Thomas Michael Cousineau is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He played college football for Ohio State University, and twice earned All-American honors. He was the first overall pick of the 1979 NFL draft, and played professionally for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes and the NFL's Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football</span> University of Hawaii football team

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. It was part of the Western Athletic Conference until July 2012, when the team joined the Mountain West Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rey Maualuga</span> American football player (born 1987)

Reynold Tala Maualuga is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at USC, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He also played for the Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaluka Maiava</span> American football player (born 1987)

Kaluka Maiava is a former American football linebacker who played for the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at USC.

James Edward Fenderson Jr. is a former American football running back. Fenderson played college football at Hawaii after transferring from Long Beach City College. An undrafted free agent, Fenderson played for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League from 2001 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Kendricks</span> American football player (born 1992)

Eric-Nathan Marvin Kendricks is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior in 2014, he won the Butkus Award as the nation's top collegiate linebacker. Kendricks was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft and later played for the Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Arizona Wildcats football team</span> American college football season

The 2016 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the 2016 season. The season was the Wildcats's 117th overall, 39th as a member of the Pac-12 Conference, and its sixth within the Pac-12 South Division. The team played their home games at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona for the 88th straight year. They were led by fifth-year head coach Rich Rodriguez. They finished the season 3–9, 1–8 in Pac-12 play to finish in last place in the South Division.

Caelan Kamuela “Kamu” Grugier-Hill is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Eastern Illinois, and was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaquille Leonard</span> American football player (born 1995)

Darius Shaquille Leonard is a former American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina State and was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In his rookie season, Leonard led the league in tackles and was named a First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year; he was also voted into the NFL Top 100 the following offseason. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Ursua</span> American football player (born 1994)

John Ursua, nicknamed "J-Dub", is an American professional football wide receiver for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penei Sewell</span> American football player (born 2000)

Penei Sewell is an American football offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon, where he won the Outland and Morris trophies in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevan Cordeiro</span> American football player (born 1999)

Chevan Cordeiro is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Hawaii and at San Jose State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rainbow Warriors played their home games on the campus at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex as members of the West Division of the Mountain West Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Todd Graham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin Turner</span> American football player (born 1999)

Calvin Turner Jr. is an American football running back and wide receiver for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL) He played college football at Jacksonville University until the program shut down in 2019 and University of Hawaii from 2020 to 2021. Turner took snaps at defensive back, quarterback, running back, and wide receiver during his college career.

Thaddius Eugene Jefferson is a former American football linebacker who was a 1987 replacement player for the Houston Oilers of the NFL. He played college football at Hawaii.

Jonah Laulu is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the Oklahoma Sooners.

References

  1. ↑ "2018 ALL-USA Hawaii Football Team". USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Mililani's Darius Muasau dominant for the Rainbow Warrior defense". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Warriors secure commitment from Mililani linebacker". Hawaii Warrior World. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  4. ↑ "'He's not scared for the big moment', 'Bows true freshman Darius Muasau steps up sooner than expected". KHON2. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Hawaii freshman Darius Muasau holds his ground for Warriors defense". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  6. ↑ New Mexico Bowl [@NMBowl] (December 25, 2020). ". @HawaiiFootball 's Darius Muasau was selected as the 2020 New Mexico Bowl Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the game. Congratulations!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ↑ "Mililani's Darius Muasau selected to Mountain West Conference first team". KHON2. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Phil Steele's 2020 Postseason All American and All Conference Teams". Phil Steele. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalists Announced". Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  10. ↑ @Dariusmuasau53 (January 2, 2022). "Excited for the next chapter! #4sup" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ "Darius Muasau College Stats". CFB at Sports Reference. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Darius Muasau Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  13. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Darius Muasau College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Mililani's Sergio Muasau set to join older brother Darius at UH". KHON2. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.