Darius Muasau

{{Short description|American football player (born 2001)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | embed = | name = Darius Muasau | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | currentteam = New York Giants | number = 53 | position = Linebacker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|2|10}} | birth_place = San Diego, California, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 234 | high_school = Mililani {{nowrap|(Mililani, Hawaii)}} | college = Hawaii (2019–2021)<br>UCLA (2022–2023) | draftyear = 2024 | draftround = 6 | draftpick = 183 | pastteams = * New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present) | status = Active | highlights = * 2× First-team All-Mountain West (2020, 2021) * Second-team All-Pac-12 (2023) | statseason = 2025 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 106 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 1 | statlabel3 = Forced fumbles | statvalue3 = | statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue4 = | statlabel5 = Interceptions | statvalue5 = 1 | statlabel6 = Pass deflections | statvalue6 = 2 | pfr = M/MuasDa00 }} '''Darius Muasau''' (born February 10, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and UCLA Bruins.

== Early life == 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=2018 ALL-USA Hawaii Football Team |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2018/2018-all-usa-hawaii-football-team |work=USA Today High School Sports |access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref>

Muasau committed to playing college football at Hawaii in 2018, the lone Division I FBS offer he received.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chinen |first=Kyle |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Mililani's Darius Muasau dominant for the Rainbow Warrior defense |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/11/11/mililanis-darius-muasau-dominant-rainbow-warrior-defense/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Hawaii News Now}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tsai |first=Stephen |date=July 12, 2018 |title=Warriors secure commitment from Mililani linebacker |url=https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/football/warriors-secure-commitment-from-mililani-linebacker/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=Hawaii Warrior World}}</ref>

== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2019 |title='He's not scared for the big moment', 'Bows true freshman Darius Muasau steps up sooner than expected |url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/hes-not-scared-for-the-big-moment-bows-true-freshman-darius-muasau-steps-up-sooner-than-expected/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=KHON2}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tsai |first=Stephen |date=2019-11-08 |title=Hawaii freshman Darius Muasau holds his ground for Warriors defense |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/11/08/sports/hawaii-freshman-darius-muasau-holds-his-ground-for-warriors-defense/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser}}</ref>

==== 2020 ==== During his 2020 season, Muasau had the highest number of tackles on the Rainbow Warriors 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.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1342265141983756288|user=NMBowl|title=. @HawaiiFootball 's Darius Muasau was selected as the 2020 New Mexico Bowl Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the game. Congratulations!|author=New Mexico Bowl}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shimabuku |first=Christian |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Mililani's Darius Muasau selected to Mountain West Conference first team |url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/mililanis-darius-muasau-selected-to-mountain-west-conference-first-team/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=KHON2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Phil Steele's 2020 Postseason All American and All Conference Teams |url=https://philsteele.com/2021/01/07/phil-steeles-2020-postseason-all-american-and-all-conference-teams/ |work=Phil Steele |access-date=11 March 2021 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410143630/https://philsteele.com/2021/01/07/phil-steeles-2020-postseason-all-american-and-all-conference-teams/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalists Announced |url=https://www.polynesianfootballhof.org/releases/2020-polynesian-college-football-player-of-the-year-award-finalists-announced |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=Polynesian Football Hall of Fame}}</ref>

==== 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.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1477490353062047744|user=Dariusmuasau53|title=Excited for the next chapter! #4sup|date=2 January 2022}}</ref>

=== College statistics === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Class ! rowspan="2" | {{tooltip|GP|Games played}} ! colspan="5" | Tackles ! colspan="3" | Def Int ! colspan="1" | Fumbles |- ! {{tooltip|Solo|Solo tackles}} ! {{tooltip|Ast|Assisted tackles}} ! {{tooltip|Total|Total tackles}} ! {{tooltip|TFL|Tackles for loss}} ! Sacks ! {{tooltip|INT|Interceptions}} ! {{tooltip|Yards|Interception return yards}} ! {{tooltip|PD|Passes defended}} ! {{tooltip|FR|Fumble recoveries}} |- | 2019 | Freshman | '''13''' || 44 || 16 || 60 || 3.0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''2''' |- | 2020 | Sophomore | 9 || '''66''' || 36 || 102 || 9.5 || 4.5 || '''1''' || 1 || 1 || 0 |- | 2021 | Junior | '''13''' || 65 || '''43''' || '''108''' || '''14''' || '''7''' || '''1''' || '''75''' || '''4''' || 1 |- ! colspan="2" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/darius-muasau-1.html Career] ! 35 !! 175 !! 95 !! 270 !! 26.5 !! 11.5 !! 2 !! 76 !! 5 !! 3 |- |}

==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 11 7/8 | weight = 225 | dash = 4.70 | ten split = 1.59 | twenty split = 2.72 | shuttle = 4.41 | cone drill = 7.23 | vertical = 36.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 9 | arm span = 31 1/2 | hand span = 9 1/2 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 2 3/4 | note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reuter |first=Chad |last2=Zierlein |first2=Lance |title=Darius Muasau Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/darius-muasau/32004d55-4150-4282-5c7d-35d1ebfc7709 |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1048253&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout Darius Muasau College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 24, 2024}}</ref> }}

Muasau was drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round, 183rd overall, of the 2024 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hickey |first=Kevin |date=2024-04-27 |title=New York Giants select LB Darius Muasau with 183rd pick in 2024 NFL Draft |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/new-york-giants/news/2024-nfl-draft-new-york-giants-darius-muasau-pick-183/f62f00594b9d4c6f7171ddae |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=Sporting News}}</ref> Muasau recorded an interception in his NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.<ref name="e542">{{cite web | title=Giants' Darius Muasau: Nabs interception in NFL debut | website=CBSSports.com | date=2024-09-09 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/giants-darius-muasau-nabs-interception-in-nfl-debut/#:~:text=Muasau%20posted%20six%20tackles%20(four,round%20of%20April's%20NFL%20Draft. | access-date=2024-09-14}}</ref> He made 15 appearances (seven starts) for New York during his rookie campaign, recording one interception, one pass deflection, and 55 combined tackles.

Muasau began the 2025 season as one of New York's starting linebackers. He was placed on injured reserve on November 8, 2025, due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Giants activate 4 for Sunday; 2 to injured reserve|url=https://www.giants.com/news/week-10-chicago-bears-zaire-barnes-tomon-fox-beaux-collins-darius-muasau-younghoe-koo-ray-ray-mccloud-roster-moves|access-date=November 11, 2025|website=Giants.com|language=en}}</ref> He was activated on December 13, ahead of the team's Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders.<ref>{{cite web|title=Giants make series of roster moves ahead of Week 15|url=https://www.giants.com/news/week-15-washington-commanders-darius-muasau-dalen-cambre-tomon-fox-nic-jones-victor-dimukeje-cameron-johnston|website=Giants.com|date=December 13, 2025}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |}

===Regular season=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="5"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! PD !! FF !! Fmb !! FR !! Yds !! TD |- ! 2024 !! NYG | 15 || 7 || '''55''' || '''26''' || '''29''' || 0.0 || '''3''' || '''1''' || '''1''' || '''1.0''' || '''1''' || 0 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2025 !! NYG | 12 || 11 || 51 || 24 || 27 || '''1.0''' || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MuasDa00.htm Career] ! 27 !! 18 !! 106 !! 50 !! 56 !! 1.0 !! 5 !! 1 !! 1 !! 1.0 !! 1 !! 0 !! 2 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 |}

== Personal life == Muasau's younger brother Sergio is currently an offensive lineman at Hawaii.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shimabuku |first=Christian |date=February 5, 2020 |title=Mililani's Sergio Muasau set to join older brother Darius at UH |url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/mililanis-sergio-muasau-set-to-join-older-brother-darius-at-uh/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=KHON2}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{Twitter|dariusmuasau53}} *[https://www.giants.com/team/players-roster/darius-muasau/ New York Giants bio] * [https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/football/roster/darius-muasau/18760 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors bio] * [https://uclabruins.com/sports/football/roster/darius-muasau/11362 UCLA Bruins bio]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Muasau, Darius}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from San Diego Category:Players of American football from Honolulu Category:American football linebackers Category:Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football players Category:UCLA Bruins football players Category:New York Giants players Category:21st-century American sportsmen