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). Standing about 6 feet tall and playing around 236 pounds, Muasau plays the linebacker position and has quickly transitioned from a productive college career into a regular role at the professional level. He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the UCLA Bruins before being selected by the New York Giants in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Darius Muasau was born in San Diego, California, but grew up in Hawaii, where he attended Mililani High School. At Mililani, he played both linebacker and running back, giving him a two-way foundation that helped shape his tackling instincts and field awareness. As a senior, Muasau earned a spot on the USA Today All-USA Hawaii Football Second Team, an early signal of the recognition that would follow throughout his career.
Coming out of high school, Muasau’s recruiting profile was modest, with Hawaii representing his lone Division I FBS scholarship offer. He committed to play for the Rainbow Warriors in 2018, choosing to develop close to home rather than chase a more prominent program. That decision proved pivotal, as it gave him early playing time and the platform to build a defensive résumé that few high school recruits with a single offer are able to assemble.
Path to American Football
Muasau’s path to becoming a professional linebacker began in earnest at Hawaii, where he was forced into action early during his first season due to injuries across the Rainbow Warriors linebacking corps. What started as an unexpected opportunity turned into a breakout moment in his first career start against rival Fresno State, when he led the team in total tackles and recovered a key onside kick that set up a game-tying drive. That performance announced Muasau as a defensive leader and set the stage for an outstanding 2020 campaign.
After a productive 2021 season in which he compiled 108 total tackles, seven sacks, and five forced fumbles, Muasau entered the transfer portal and announced on January 1, 2022 that he would transfer to UCLA. The move to the Pac-12 gave him a higher level of conference competition and broader visibility heading into his final college seasons. The arc from a lightly recruited Hawaii linebacker to a Power Five starter illustrates how steady production and on-field results can elevate a player’s draft stock.
Darius Muasau Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Muasau’s first notable stretch of college football came at Hawaii, where he developed from a backup linebacker and special teamer into one of the most productive defenders in the Mountain West Conference. In a stellar 2020 season, Muasau led the Rainbow Warriors in tackles, ranked fourth nationally in solo tackles, and finished fifth in the country in total tackles. He capped that year by being named the most outstanding player on defense of the 2020 New Mexico Bowl, recording nine tackles, one sack, and an interception.
His strong play earned him All-Mountain West first team honors in 2020, the only Hawaii player to receive first-team recognition that season, as well as an honorable mention All-American selection by Phil Steele. He was also a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, finishing behind Zach Wilson and Talanoa Hufanga. Muasau then repeated as a First-team All-Mountain West selection in 2021, reinforcing his consistency before making his transfer decision.
UCLA Bruins Era (2022–2023)
Following his transfer announcement, Muasau joined the UCLA Bruins and stepped into a Power Five linebacker room. His experience and tackling production translated immediately, and he continued to be a tackling leader for the UCLA defense during his time in the Pac-12. After the 2023 season, he earned Second-team All-Pac-12 honors, an acknowledgment of his role as one of the conference’s most reliable linebackers and a sign that he was ready for the next level.
New York Giants Era (2024–Present)
Muasau was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round, 183rd overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft, beginning his professional career as a depth linebacker with special teams responsibility. He made an immediate impact in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, recording an interception in his NFL debut. Over the course of his rookie season, Muasau appeared in 15 games with seven starts, finishing with one interception, one pass deflection, and 55 combined tackles.
Entering the 2025 season, Muasau earned a starting linebacker role with the Giants, a clear sign of the team’s confidence in his development. He was placed on injured reserve on November 8, 2025, following an ankle injury suffered in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers. Muasau was activated on December 13, ahead of the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders, returning to the lineup for the final stretch of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Muasau’s game is built on tackling reliability, instincts, and a physical edge developed through years of high-volume college production. He reads the field quickly, flows to the football, and is comfortable playing the run while also offering coverage value, as shown by his debut interception. His special teams background and willingness to do the unglamorous work have helped him carve out an early professional role with the Giants.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Muasau’s signature moments are his onside kick recovery against Fresno State, his 2020 New Mexico Bowl defensive MVP performance, and his NFL debut interception against the Minnesota Vikings. Each milestone reflects the same profile: a player who delivers in high-leverage moments, whether it is flipping field position, dominating a bowl stage, or making a splash play in his first professional game.
Darius Muasau Career Wins
Darius Muasau’s career has been defined more by individual production and team impact than by win totals, but his on-field results have been consistently strong from college to the NFL. From his All-Mountain West selections at Hawaii to his starting role with the New York Giants, his résumé is built on a foundation of reliable tackling and timely plays.
NCAA Highlights
At Hawaii, Muasau was a two-time First-team All-Mountain West selection in 2020 and 2021, and he was also a Second-team All-Pac-12 honoree at UCLA in 2023. His 2020 season stood out, as he led the Rainbow Warriors in tackles, ranked among the national leaders in solo and total tackles, and was named the defensive MVP of the New Mexico Bowl. He was also a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, underscoring his standing among the top defensive players in the college game.
Darius Muasau Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Darius Muasau grew up in a family with athletic ties that helped shape his football path. Public reporting indicates that his younger brother, Sergio Muasau, is an offensive lineman at the University of Hawaii, continuing the family’s presence in college football. That shared sporting environment has provided Muasau with a familiar support system as he has moved between programs and into the NFL.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Muasau’s personal life has remained relatively private, with limited public details about relationships or residence. He is known to have grown up in Hawaii and to have built his career around his family and his football community. As he continues his professional journey with the New York Giants, his personal focus appears to remain on his development as a linebacker and his role within the team’s defense.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a step forward in Muasau’s career, as he opened the year as one of New York’s starting linebackers and quickly became a regular contributor on defense. Through the first eight games, he maintained his tackling production and provided the kind of steady presence the Giants expected when they handed him a starting role. His progress reflected both his continued development and the trust the coaching staff placed in him following a productive rookie year.
Muasau’s season was interrupted in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, when an ankle injury sent him to injured reserve on November 8, 2025. The Giants activated him on December 13, in time for their Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders, allowing him to return for the closing stretch of the schedule. His ability to come back late in the year is an encouraging sign for his durability and his long-term outlook with the team.
Looking ahead, Muasau’s role within the Giants’ defense appears secure, given his production in 2024 and his early 2025 work before the injury. He remains a young linebacker with Power Five experience, multiple all-conference honors, and an NFL debut interception on his résumé. Continued health and consistency could position him as a long-term fixture in New York’s linebacker rotation.