Darius Muasau
UCLA Bruins – No. 53
PositionLinebacker
ClassSenior
Personal information
Born: (2001-02-10) February 10, 2001 (age 23)
San Diego, California
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolMililani (Mililani, Hawaii)
Career highlights and awards

Darius Muasau (born February 10, 2001) is an American college football linebacker for the UCLA Bruins.

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.[3]

Muasau committed to playing college football at Hawaii in 2018, the lone Division I FBS offer he received.[4][5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9][10] 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.[11]

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.[12]

College statistics

Year Class GP Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Solo Ast Total TFL Sacks INT Yards PD FR
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
Career 35 175 95 270 26.5 11.5 2 76 5 3
Source:[13]

Personal life

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

References

  1. ^ @NMBowl (December 25, 2020). "@HawaiiFootball's Darius Muasau was selected as the 2020 New Mexico Bowl Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the game" (Tweet). Retrieved December 24, 2020 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Dominant Second Half Carries UCLA to 35-22 Victory Over Boise State in LA Bowl". mynewsla.com. December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  3. ^ "2018 ALL-USA Hawaii Football Team". USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Mililani's Darius Muasau dominant for the Rainbow Warrior defense". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Warriors secure commitment from Mililani linebacker". Hawaii Warrior World. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  6. ^ "'He's not scared for the big moment', 'Bows true freshman Darius Muasau steps up sooner than expected". KHON2. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Hawaii freshman Darius Muasau holds his ground for Warriors defense". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Mililani's Darius Muasau selected to Mountain West Conference first team". KHON2. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Phil Steele's 2020 Postseason All American and All Conference Teams". Phil Steele. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalists Announced". Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  12. ^ @Dariusmuasau53 (January 2, 2022). "Excited for the next chapter! #4sup" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Darius Muasau College Stats". CFB at Sports Reference. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Mililani's Sergio Muasau set to join older brother Darius at UH". KHON2. Retrieved 11 March 2021.