New York Giants second-year linebacker Darius Muasau has been a pleasant surprise since being drafted by Big Blue in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He has been an excellent addition to both the defense as a backup and has been a key special-teams player.

Muasau knows he’s not going to be a starter but will be a contributor this year, as he was last season. The former UCLA standout out of Hawaii always seems to be around the football when he gets a chance to play.

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Muasau has been described as an “instinctual” player by head coach Brian Daboll.

“I think the instincts are just a part of who I am,” Muasau told reporters on Monday after practice. “I’m not the biggest, I’m not the fastest, I’m not the strongest, but when I get out there, I feel like that’s what makes me unique is just my instincts.

“That’s why I’m able to play at this level and I feel like that’s what made me unique. That’s why I got to the NFL, I feel, is just my instincts. Being out there and just being able to apply that to my game in every way that I can and just going out there and being instinctual.”As a young man growing up in Hawaii, Muasau’s family, especially his father, were fans of the San Francisco 49ers mainly due to the time zone they were in.

“My dad was a big 49ers fan growing up and so that’s kind of who my dad rooted for, and my family would always grow up watching that game and the Niners were always playing at that time and it was just an awesome, awesome feeling,” he said.

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This year, the Giants will host the Niners in Week 9. Muasau was asked who the family would be rooting for.

“Obviously, us,” he said with a laugh. “I mean, I’m not a little kid (any) more. I’m in the NFL, living out the dream, so I’m rocking with the Giants all the way.”

What about his dad?

“Oh, for me,” he said with another laugh. “He’s rooting for us. I hope so.”

Muasau didn’t sound entirely certain, but there’s no way a father will root against his son.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Will Darius Muasau’s dad root for Giants or 49ers in Week 9?