While a starting quarterback has still not been named ahead of the Bears’ season opener today, Hawaii native Kobe Muasau has worked his way from the bottom of the depth chart to the forefront of the quarterback room.
After leaving home, Muasau moved to Seattle, where his high school performance earned him a spot at New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college (JUCO) in Roswell, New Mexico.
A player may attend a JUCO after high school if a Division I roster spot seems out of reach, giving them a fresh start and a chance to be scouted for the next level.
“You really get it out of the mud in JUCO,” said Muasau. “You’re at the bottom of the bottoms, so just having to dig yourself out of that hole and working hard was just the mentality.”
For Muasau, attending a JUCO proved effective, as Morgan State coaches were impressed with his performance and offered him a full scholarship last season.
However, he saw playing time in only one game against Howard, completing 19 of 24 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown to his stat line.
His offseason development and growth suggest he will see significantly more time on the field this season, and he hopes to help lead the Bears to success.
Muasau was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, which he described as a small island where family and community are central to everything.
The sense of being “family-oriented” carries over to his approach in the game at Morgan.
“You know a lot of these guys are my boys, my family, so I’m trying to make that a thing where everybody gets molded together,” said Muasau.
Muasau expressed that he occasionally feels homesick, which he remedies with FaceTime calls to his family back home and carries the selfless spirit of his native people with him everywhere.
“It’s really just a way of life, how we live in Hawaii,” said Muasau. “We call it the Aloha Spirit. It’s just the act of being humble, respectful, and kind to others.”
As the Bears gear up for their season opener, Muasau is ready to bring his community-driven mindset, humble spirit, and drive to succeed onto the football field today as they face off against the University of South Alabama at 7 p.m.
