Versatile LB Quatama Massaquoi key cog in Kansas Wesleyan football defense

Quatama Massaquoi played running back and wide receiver during his last three years at Pittsburg (California) High School.

After arriving at Los Medanos College (California) to continue his education and playing career he decided it was time for a change that essentially was a trip back to the future.

“My freshman year in high school I played safety but then I switched to straight offense,” said Massaquoi, a starting linebacker for Kansas Wesleyan. “I wanted to give defense another try so I bounced around from safety to nickelback in juco. Growing up I played a lot of different sports so I was always moved around.”

He played well enough to garner scholarship offers from schools in Montana and the Kansas Conference including KWU where he ultimately signed. It was a prudent decision.

Massaquoi enters the Coyotes’ game against Tabor on Saturday in Hillsboro tied for fourth in tackles with Ricardo Garcia at 41, six of them for loss. He also has recovered two fumbles and has two interceptions.

While listed as a linebacker Massaquoi also drops into pass coverage, making him a hybrid player.

“It’s really a linebacker, really a utility player I would say,” he said. “That’s what (fellow linebacker) Ricco Moore played last season. I’ve played a lot of safety and we play a 3-3-5 (alignment), five defensive backs, so it’s outside linebacker or safety.”

He also has seen duty as a cornerback this season and is as comfortable covering wideouts in the secondary as he is meeting a running back head-on at the line of scrimmage.

“Against those run-heavy teams you’ve really just got to drop your head and go in and play fearless,” said Massaquoi, who is listed at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds. “Our defense, we’re headhunters. We love getting in the mix. I love playing against pass-heavy teams too because I get to actually show what I can do rather than just playing in the box.”

“We expect that position to be able to cover the pass and rush the passer,” KWU coach Matt Myers said. “Walk up to the line and press tight ends and do everything that’s required of a linebacker. With his versatility it’s very difficult to get him off the field.”

Massaquoi said he’s available for duty on offense, if needed.

“I would love to play offense anytime; I still get the thoughts in my head sometimes as well,” he said.

Has he asked the coaches about it, though?

“No, I haven’t,” he said with a smile.

Having experience on offense has been beneficial for him as a defender – sort of been there, done that.

“Our offense (in high school) was pass heavy where we would throw it up all the time but we still got some runs in there,” he said. “We ran a spread offense and had four wideouts at all times. I had a lot of draws and sweep plays.

“I watch a lot of film and can tell what type of running backs guys are – if they’re a heavier dude or they’re quick and agile and have some moves. It translates on the field on how I try to tackle them.”

Choosing KWU after junior college wasn’t difficult, he said.

“I loved how I got recruited by coach (David) Leonard, I loved how he and coach Myers welcomed me. I just loved everything out here,” he said. “I knew coming to Kansas Wesleyan would be home and would be the best option for me.”

Getting acclimated wasn’t difficult either when he arrived for the spring semester in 2023.

“Football is a big thing and is why everybody’s here,” he said. “Football players are together all the time hanging out with each other, dabbing people up, doing handshakes. Everybody was really welcoming and we got the hang of it quickly. We all wanted to get back to that winning level just like last year.”

So far, so good. The Coyotes have won their last five games, are 6-2 and tied with Ottawa atop the Gene Bissell Division at 2-0, much to Massaquoi’s delight.

“I love it because in juco I didn’t have a winning record so it’s amazing to have five consecutive wins right now,” he said. “I’m very confident and pumped up and I know the other guys are pumped up as well for what’s to come.”

That said, Massaquoi’s not taking anything for granted.

“Everybody in the KCAC really wants to beat Kansas Wesleyan,” he said. “We’ve just got to keep our heads down and stay focused for the rest of the season so we can get locked into the (NAIA) playoffs.”

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Quatama Massaquoi key cog in Kansas Wesleyan football defense