Darius Muasau Bio
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 the UCLA Bruins before being selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Muasau has established himself as a productive tackler at every level of his football career, earning All-Mountain West honors twice and All-Pac-12 recognition once during his collegiate years.
Early Life and Background
Darius Muasau was born on February 10, 2001, in San Diego, California, but his family moved to Hawaii where he would grow up and develop as a football player. He attended Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii, where he played both linebacker and running back. His senior season performance earned him a spot on the USA Today All-USA Hawaii Football Second Team.
Despite his success at the high school level, Muasau received limited Division I interest, with Hawaii being his only FBS offer. This made his commitment to continue his football career with the Rainbow Warriors in 2018 a significant moment that would shape his path to professional football.
Path to American Football
Upon arriving at Hawaii, Muasau began his college career as a backup linebacker and special teams player. Early-season injuries to the Rainbow Warriors linebacking corps thrust him into action sooner than expected. He made his first career start against rival Fresno State and made an immediate impact by leading the team in total tackles while also recovering a key onside kick that set up a game-tying drive.
That early-season trial by fire proved to be a turning point for Muasau. He quickly developed into one of the most dominant defensive players in the Mountain West Conference, setting the foundation for a career that would eventually take him to the NFL.
Darius Muasau Career
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2019–2021)
Muasau truly broke onto the scene during his sophomore season in 2020. He led the entire Hawaii team in tackles while also ranking fourth in the nation in solo tackles and fifth in total tackles. His performance in the 2020 New Mexico Bowl showcased his talent on the biggest stage, as he was named the most outstanding player on defense after compiling nine tackles, one sack, and an interception against Louisiana Tech.
His exceptional 2020 season earned him first-team All-Mountain West honors, making him the only Hawaii player to receive first-team recognition that year. He also garnered honorable mention All-American honors from Phil Steele and was a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. Muasau followed this with another strong season in 2021, recording 108 total tackles, seven sacks, and five forced fumbles.
Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Muasau entered the transfer portal and announced his decision to continue his collegiate career elsewhere. On January 1, 2022, he publicly announced his commitment to transfer to UCLA via social media.
UCLA Bruins (2022–2023)
Muasau transitioned to the Pac-12 Conference when he joined the UCLA Bruins for the 2022 season. Playing against higher-level competition in one of college football’s power conferences, he continued to demonstrate his ability to be a difference-making linebacker. His consistent performance throughout the 2023 season earned him second-team All-Pac-12 recognition, validating his decision to test himself at the Power Five level.
His two seasons at UCLA helped refine his skills and prepared him for the next phase of his football journey. After completing his collegiate career with stops at both Hawaii and UCLA, Muasau declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
New York Giants Era (2024–Present)
The New York Giants selected Muasau in the sixth round with the 183rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact in his professional debut, recording an interception in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Throughout his rookie campaign, Muasau appeared in 15 games with seven starts, accumulating 55 combined tackles, one interception, and one pass deflection.
Muasau entered the 2025 season as one of New York’s starting linebackers, positioning himself for an expanded role in the defense. However, he suffered an ankle injury in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers that required him to be placed on injured reserve on November 8, 2025. He was activated on December 13 ahead of the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders, returning to action after his recovery.
Playing Style and Strengths
Muasau has built his reputation as a consistent and reliable tackler who consistently ranks among the leaders in stoppages at every level. His ability to read plays and react quickly allows him to make plays both against the run and in pass coverage. He possesses the instincts and football intelligence to diagnose offensive schemes, which helped him earn significant playing time early in his college and professional careers despite not being a highly-touted recruit.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Muasau’s most significant career moments was his defensive MVP performance in the 2020 New Mexico Bowl, where his statistical output and game-changing plays helped Hawaii secure the victory. His NFL debut interception against the Vikings provided an immediate sign that his collegiate production could translate to the professional level. The milestone of being drafted by an NFL franchise, despite Hawaii being his only FBS offer out of high school, stands as a testament to his development and work ethic throughout his career.
Darius Muasau Career Statistics
Across his collegiate and professional career, Muasau has accumulated impressive tackle totals while also demonstrating playmaking ability with sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. His consistent production has earned him recognition at both the conference and national levels.
College Career Highlights
During his three seasons at Hawaii, Muasau established himself as one of the premier linebackers in the Mountain West Conference. His 2020 season was particularly remarkable, as he led the Rainbow Warriors in tackles while ranking among the national leaders in solo stops. His two first-team All-Mountain West selections (2020 and 2021) highlight the sustained excellence he achieved during his time in Honolulu. His transition to UCLA in 2022 proved he could compete at the Power Five level, culminating in his second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2023.
Professional Career Statistics
Through his first two seasons with the New York Giants (2024–2025), Muasau has recorded 106 total tackles, one sack, one interception, and two pass deflections. His ability to contribute in both the running and passing game has made him a valuable member of the Giants defense. His rookie season saw him earn significant playing time with seven starts in 15 appearances, demonstrating the immediate trust the coaching staff placed in him.
| Competition Level | Total Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2024–2025) | 106 | 1 | 1 |
Darius Muasau Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Football runs in the Muasau family, with Darius’s younger brother Sergio following in his footsteps at the collegiate level. Sergio Muasau is currently an offensive lineman at Hawaii, representing the family’s continued presence in college football’s Aloha State.
Personal Life
Despite his California birth, Muasau grew up in Hawaii and considers the islands his home. His journey from a player with limited Division I interest to an NFL linebacker demonstrates his dedication to the sport. His roots in Hawaii, combined with his success at programs like Hawaii and UCLA, have made him a notable figure among Polynesian players in college and professional football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Muasau’s young NFL career as he entered the year as a projected starting linebacker for the New York Giants. His offseason and training camp performance had positioned him for an expanded role in the defensive scheme, building on the foundation he established during his rookie season.
Muasau’s season was cut short by injury when he suffered an ankle injury in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, resulting in his placement on injured reserve on November 8, 2025. The injury halted what had been a productive campaign for the third-year linebacker. His return to the field on December 13 ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders provided a boost to the Giants defense as they navigated the stretch run of the season.
The experience of battling through injury and returning to contribute in meaningful games should serve Muasau well as he continues his professional career. With his combination of production, instincts, and work ethic, he has established himself as a core piece of the Giants linebacker rotation and figures to play a significant role in the team’s defensive plans moving forward.