Training camps for the 2024 NFL season are opening across the country. In New York, the Giants welcomed rookies last week, ahead of the veterans who are set to check in on Tuesday.
Among the new faces in the Giants’ camp is Mililani graduate, former University of Hawaii, and UCLA linebacker Darius Muasau.
Muasau was selected in the 6th round of the NFL Draft this past April.
Despite this being his first experience with professional football, he has a familiar face in the organization. Former University of Hawaii special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial now holds the same role for the Giants.
“I hope I just made a great impression on Coach Ghobrial once I first got there,” Muasau said. “Coach Ghoby was only at the University of Hawaii for one year, my freshman year. I only played special teams that year, that’s how I contributed to the team. I was on every special teams unit at the time. I was playing on kickoff, kickoff return, punt return. That’s how I made my mark. I just love running down, playing the ball, just making plays for the team in any way I can contribute.”
In five collegiate seasons between UH and UCLA, Muasau amassed 440 tackles in 63 total games.
“I just want to find a way to contribute to the team in any way possible, and if that’s special teams, then so be it. That’s the way I’ll contribute,” Muasau added.
Ghobrial, known as “Ghoby” by colleagues, spent 2018-2019 at UH as Special Teams Coordinator under then head coach Nick Rolovich. Following Rolo’s departure for Washington State, he spent one season on staff with the Cougars before making the move into the NFL. Over the last three seasons, Ghobrial was a special teams assistant with the Jets.
“It’s a small world seeing Coach Ghoby over here now, just a full-circle moment. Having him here, coming from the University of Hawaii to now here in New York. It’s crazy.”
The first day of full-team training camp for Muasau and Coach Ghobrial is set for Tuesday.
The Giants’ preseason schedule kicks off on August 8th against the Lions.