University of Houston Athletics
FB Program Feature: Anchoring Houston's Defense
10/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
by: Armando Reveron, Athletics Communications Intern
Growing up in Maryland, Joey Mbu's family was surrounded by soccer. His father was a FIFA pro scout and soccer was the only sport to play for free. Mbu was much bigger than most of the boys his age, so he seemed a bit out of place.
It wasn't until his family moved to Texas when he was in middle school that Mbu decided to give football a try. Due to his size, Mbu didn't have much of a choice on positions and has been a linemen ever since.
However, Mbu's soccer background has helped propel him into becoming the playmaker on defense that he is today as a senior defensive lineman at the University of Houston.
"Soccer is really about footwork," Mbu said. "I've carried that attention to detail from soccer to football. Using that footwork is key in football." Mbu was always one of the biggest guys on the team. Entering his freshÂman season at Houston, Mbu weighed 350 pounds.
"I have always been big," Mbu, a three-star recruit out of Foster High School in Richmond, Texas, said. "I haven't been under a single digit [in weight] since before I was born. So I had to go to a lineman position."
What happened next was a transformation - in body and mental apÂproach - that has helped Mbu become a two-year starter a n d anchor of the Cougars' defensive line.
To better prepare himself for the physicality that comes with playing college football, Mbu pushed himself to get better each season. He lost 40 pounds by his junior season and weighed in at 312 to begin this season, his lowest playing weight ever.
"Ever since [my freshman season] I've been working hard, trying to get toned and all," Mbu said.
Mbu's dedication hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates, who voted him a team captain each of the last two seasons.
"He is a really good player. I think he is one of the best nose tackles in the country," junior defensive end Eric Eiland said.
"The first word that describes Joey is leader," senior defensive end Trevor Harris said. "He knows how to bring a group together. He knows what to say all the time to get us going and get us to come together."
In his time at UH, Mbu has been part of a defensive unit that made one of the biggest turnarounds in the nation, going from 102nd in scoring defense in 2012 to 20th and leading the nation with 43 takeaways last season.
Mbu has even gotten in on the action, intercepting only the second pass of his career to set up a touchdown in the second quarter against BYU.
"I think I can play safety," Mbu said. "But, I'm not fast enough for it."
And when the Cougars need a pick-me-up, they know exactly who to turn to.
"I feel like he gives us that extra kick," Harris said. "Whenever we feel like we are tired, the only thing you have to do is give him one look and he looks at you back. You can just see it in his eyes - `You need to come on ... let's do this.' He kind of propels us forward."
After this season, Mbu will begin focusing on the next phase of his life. His goal is to play in the NFL, but ultimately he envisions working as a college athletics administrator.
"I would love to stay around major college sports," Mbu said.
In the meantime, you might find Mbu delving into another one of his pasÂsions. Mbu is the leader of the musical group, "The Rocktations" - a play off the defensive line's nickname "Rock Boys" - that hangs out creating beats and singing doo-wops in the locker room and at practice. Earlier this summer, the group received some airtime during ESPNU's All-Access segment on the CouÂgars.
"I used to think I was a DJ," Mbu said. "I've always had a passion for music."
Whether on or off the field Mbu has a presence on the Houston Football team. He is there when you need him and is a workhorse for his teammates.
"He is a great guy to be around off the field and on the field, he does everyÂthing that he needs to, and I couldn't ask for a better teammate and captain." Harris said.
