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Penn State Football: Kevin Givens returns top pass rushing production

By Collin Wieder

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Kevin Givens (30) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Kevin Givens (30) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the loss of two major defensive line contributors, Penn State football needs a go-to pass rusher. Kevin Givens might be that player as the returning sack leader.

Offense gets a lot of attention when people mention Penn State football. The Nittany Lions accomplished a lot on the offensive side of the ball and deserve their due. With that said, the defense for Penn State played well with little fanfare from the national media last season.

The team didn’t feature big names. They instead relied on team defense. For instance, the sack production was led by a trio of defensive linemen in Garrett Sickels, Evan Schwan and Kevin Givens.

A big reason for Penn State’s defensive success started with its 40 sacks from 18 different contributors. The aforementioned trio combined for 17 of those sacks last year, but the team’s two leading pass rushers Sickels and Schwan will need to be replaced.

Sickels left for the NFL, while Schwan graduated leaving Givens as the top pass rusher. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, Givens compiled 26 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. After changing positions from defensive end to defensive tackle last offseason, the Altoona product gave offenses a taste of what he’s capable of.

First off, he’s a mismatch for interior offensive lineman. His first few step is so fast – that guards can barely put a hand on him. At 6-foot-1, 275-pounds, he can sneak by the big hog mollies up front. Givens played linebacker and defensive end in high school – rushing the passer off the edges. Although he played a different position, it helped his game more than it hampered it.

Defensive tackles with his athletic ability create more than mismatches. They can also play beyond  the normal area of an inside defensive lineman. Some of his big plays came on rundown tackles on running backs.

Given is already a productive young player, but if he can become more consistent, teams should be afraid. If he can get away with his leaner build in the trenches, he’d break the mold and constantly cause mayhem in the backfield.

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A full offseason of working in his new position will only improve his production in year. It’s not often many teams have an athletic hybrid defensive tackle like a Givens. Penn State does and he’ll be a major factor in 2017.

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