Penn State Football: Kevin Givens signs as undrafted free agent
Former Penn State lineman will get a shot in the NFL
Penn State football’s all-around, tweener defensive lineman didn’t come off the draft board in in the 2019 NFL Draft, but it didn’t take long for him to find a team. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers.
Givens left the Nittany Lions a little earlier than expected, but he had more than his fair share of great moments up front. At 6-foot-1, 285 pounds, he doesn’t have a defined role at the next level other than being a defensive lineman. He can rush the quarterback with speed but also dominate offensive lineman with a low-to-the-ground physicality.
The sawed-off lineman has an advantage, because he can sneak through holes and get off the ball quicker than typical defensive tackles. However, his smaller size does present a drawback as well, because bigger lineman can use their power and range to stifle him. He’ll have to gain or lose weight depending on where teams want to use him.
In terms of his numbers, he saw a rise in production for his final year in 2018. He ended his career with 33 total tackles, 10.5 for loss and five sacks, all career highs. In three years of play, he ended up with 83 stops, 22 for loss and 13.5 sacks, so he’s got some numbers to backup his size. He played three years but only started about two-and-a-half, so he’ll have to prove he can every single down at the next level.
Either way, he did prove that he can play up front against the Big Ten’s offensive line, which are always some of the best in the country. He’s more than earned a shot in the NFL and that’s what he’s getting with the 49ers.
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San Francisco, who selected top defensive lineman Nick Bosa in the first round, is loaded on the defensive line. It will be very difficult for Givens to see some early playing time, but he’ll have plenty of opportunities to watch and learn the position as he waits for his moment.
From all of us here at VBR, congratulations go out to Kevin on the signing!