Former Bruin Darius Muasau steps up into starter role for the New York Giants. After a season ending injury to Bobby Okereke. Muasau spent two years with the UCLA Bruins in 2022 and 2023. He was a leader on the defense and is known for flying around the ball. He spent the first three seasons of his college career with Hawaii before making the transfer to UCLA.
Darius Muasau enters 2022 with back to back 💯 tackle seasons! @Dariusmuasau53 pic.twitter.com/WezgscY1wU
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) August 27, 2022
2022 was a rough year for the UCLA defense. They ranked 92nd in the nation giving up 29 points per game. But Muasau was a bright spot after his transfer. He was an all-around linebacker that was a three down guy. Finishing the season with 91 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Under Chip Kelly’s offense, the defense spent a lot of time on the field.
Muasau would strike gold his super senior year at UCLA. With the NCAA allowing an extra year due to Covid. Muasau took full advantage and had an amazing year. The UCLA defense was much improved only giving up 18.4 points per game, which ranked 14th in the nation. Muasau would finish the year with 75 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.
🏆 Second Team All-Pac-12 🏆
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) December 5, 2023
🏈 Duke Clemens
🏈 Darius Muasau pic.twitter.com/uoVUTpnn7m
Excellent job by UCLA LB Darius Muasau to calmly process the offense in coverage as a Tampa-2 Mike
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) April 30, 2024
At the snap, Muasau orients toward the 3 WR side vs. Empty. The No. 3 (inner WR) goes under, leaving the math in favor of UCLA on the field side (3 over 2).
Knowing what the QB is… pic.twitter.com/xvhrtjp5L0
Muasau in the 2024 NFL Draft would go in the sixth round to the New York Giants. He had a great day debut and his first game in the first week of his rookie season. He had five tackles, an interception and a tackle for loss. Continuing to grow throughout the year for a young Giants defense. The team knew they had a linebacker that would always fly around the ball.
Rookie linebacker Darius Muasau has his first career interception for the Giants off Sam Darnold. Dexter Lawrence hit Darnold’s arm, which helped force the pick. pic.twitter.com/BQSNeMhA0U
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) September 8, 2024
Now equipped with a starting role, Muasau looks to take off with it. Showcasing his skills that led to him being drafted. One of the better transfers UCLA has had in recent years. It also continues the history of UCLA having some really good linebackers coming through the program, such as Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Myles Jack and so on.