Only Kevin Givens Until Penn State Football

Defensive tackle Kevin Givens, a three-star recruit from just down the road at Altoona Area High, played as a linebacker and defensive end, helping Altoona reach their first WPIAL state playoff game. Givens also played as a fullback, rushing for 317 yards on 39 carries as a senior, and earning Pennsylvania Football News first-team all-state (AAAA) honors as a senior.

His versatility made him a solid, underrated get for Penn State. Givens joined the Nittany Lions as part of the 2015 class and took a redshirt to wait his turn. It was well worth the wait as Givens made an impact right away as a redshirt freshman with 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss in 2016. A key performance was his career- high three tackles plus one tackle for loss and a combined sack in the Minnesota game. By the end of 2016, Givens was selected to the BTN.com and ESPN.com All-Big Ten Freshman team

Givens didn’t disappoint in 2017, either, appearing in all 13 games and racking up 23 tackles, 3.5 tacks and 4 tackles for loss. Four tackles came in the Michigan game along with a sack of John O’Korn and four more tackles came in the Michigan State game the week after.

His consistent performance is one of many reasons why Black Shoe Diaries named him to their list of top ten Penn State players for 2018.

Oh, and Givens squatting an impressive 515 lbs. earlier this year helps, too.

Only 30 more days. 30 days.