It’s the third day in a row writing about Muller, and I make no qualms about doing so. The Osage senior pounded West Branch on both sides of the ball during Friday’s 12-7, Class 2A, first-round playoff game at The Little Rose Bowl. The versatile athlete rushed 36 times for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Muller also paced the Green Devils with 7.5 tackles, one of which was a stop for loss. As I wrote when choosing him as the player of the week in the classification, Muller fits best at linebacker at the next level but there’s also potential as a battering-ram ball carrier. It’s more than just power, although that impresses. He also has some wiggle and burst. They and other traits make a future at linebacker on the next level very intriguing. You can witness what I’m talking about during his regular-season highlights. Of course, college wrestling also could be in his future.

Osage was one of just two Class 2A playoffs teams to win on the road this past Friday. The Green Devils wore down West Branch, 12-7, to continue their march to what they hope will be a return trip to the UNI-Dome. It’s hard to imagine the season still being alive without Muller’s heroics. The senior, two-way standout rushed 36 times for 227 yards and two touchdowns. He also led Osage with 7.5 tackles, one of which was a stop for loss. I think Muller fits best at linebacker at the next level but also am open to the potential as a battering-ram ball carrier. It’s more than just power, although that impresses. He also has some wiggle and burst. They and other traits make a future at linebacker on the next level very intriguing. You can witness what I’m talking about during his regular-season highlights.

A linebacker that wears the number 0? Every ball-carrier’s nightmare.

Gavin Muller Gavin Muller 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB/RB Osage | 2027 State IA of Osage picked up an offer from Northwestern on Monday this week, likely thanks in part to his ball-pursuit and high-motor he plays with on the football field. He shows the ability to shirk off offensive linemen who try to reach the second-level, shedding blocks and making tackles in the middle of the field. Even if Muller isn’t able to bring down ball-carriers himself, he stops them in their tracks enough to get help from the rest of the defense.

Also used as a standup edge rusher, Muller can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

A historic season for Osage ended with the Green Devils reaching The Dome and finishing 11-1 following a loss to eventual champion Van Meter in the state semifinals. Muller was one of the true standouts during the successful run. The junior collected 39.0 tackles, 29 of which were solo stops. He recorded 11.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Muller rushed for 496 yards (8.7 YPC) and seven touchdowns, the second most on the team. He caught four balls for 94 yards and a score. Muller certainly looks the part during his 11th-grade highlight video. He does a really nice job playing under control while also being aggressive. Muller identifies plays quickly and flows smoothly to the football. Strength and active hands help him fend off blocks in pursuit. They also aid in disengaging quickly if he does get tied up. Muller’s frame has room to grow and fill out while maintaining agility and athleticism.

Muller got the job done on both sides of the ball last season. The sophomore racked up 57.5 tackles (43 solo, 5.5 TFL), and rushed for 287 yards and three scores. Muller’s 10th-grade highlight video reveals a football player guided by physicality. It’s embraced and utilized. Muller gets downhill quickly whether pounding the ball between the tackles or flying to it for a stop. The Green Devils take advantage of Muller’s size and athleticism on defense, moving him around the formation and exploiting of mismatches.