Kevin Givens Bio
Kevin Givens is an American professional football defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions before joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Givens has built his career on the defensive interior, contributing as a rotational pass rusher and run defender.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 285 pounds, Givens entered the league without the spotlight of a draft selection but steadily developed into a reliable depth piece for one of the NFL’s most consistent defenses. His journey from a Pennsylvania high school standout to a Super Bowl participant reflects persistence and steady improvement.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Givens was born on March 1, 1997, in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he attended Altoona Area High School. At Altoona, Givens played both defensive end and fullback, showing the versatility that would later define his college recruitment.
During his senior season, Givens was named first-team All-State on defense while also contributing on offense, where he rushed for 317 yards and six touchdowns. That dual-threat production helped establish him as a priority recruit for several college programs and ultimately led him to Penn State.
Path to American Football
Givens committed to Penn State, where he joined the Nittany Lions and began his development as an interior defensive lineman. He redshirted his true freshman season, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the speed and physicality of Big Ten Conference football.
After his redshirt year, Givens quickly earned recognition. He was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team after recording 26 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in his first active season. The award signaled his emergence as a disruptive force on the Nittany Lions’ defensive front.
Across his next two seasons at Penn State, Givens continued to grow. As a redshirt sophomore, he added 23 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. In his redshirt junior year, he posted 33 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Having already completed his undergraduate degree, Givens announced that he would forgo his final season and enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
Kevin Givens Career
Early Career (2019)
Kevin Givens signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2019. His initial path into the league was narrow, as he was waived at the end of training camp during final roster cuts. The 49ers, however, kept him within the organization by re-signing him to the practice squad on September 1.
His patience paid off when San Francisco promoted him to the active roster on December 28, 2019. The promotion came in time for Givens to join the 49ers’ postseason run, including an appearance in Super Bowl LIV, where the 49ers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 31–20.
NFL Breakthrough (2020–2021)
In his first full professional season in 2020, Givens recorded his first career sack during a Week 7 matchup against the New England Patriots, bringing down Jarrett Stidham late in the fourth quarter of a 33–6 victory. The sack marked a personal milestone and confirmed his ability to contribute as a pass rusher at the NFL level. A brief roster exemption in December 2020 briefly interrupted his season, but he was reinstated five days later.
The 2021 season proved more challenging. On September 25, 2021, Givens was placed on injured reserve, limiting his availability for much of the year. He was activated on October 30 and returned to contribute on the defensive line as the 49ers continued their push toward another deep postseason run.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022–2024)
On March 10, 2022, Givens re-signed with the 49ers, signaling the organization’s confidence in his role. Over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he appeared in 30 regular-season games, starting 12 of them, and added six playoff appearances, including another Super Bowl appearance. His steady production made him a trusted part of San Francisco’s defensive rotation.
On March 14, 2024, Givens again re-signed with the 49ers. During the 2024 campaign, he played in eight games with one start, posting 11 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks. His season was cut short on December 4, when he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral tear in Week 13.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kevin Givens’ most prominent career milestone came early, when he reached Super Bowl LIV as a rookie with the San Francisco 49ers in the 2019 season. He added a second Super Bowl appearance during the 2022 or 2023 playoff run. His first career sack, recorded against the New England Patriots in 2020, remains a defining early moment.
Kevin Givens Career Wins
Kevin Givens has built a professional resume centered on consistency and reliability rather than headline stat lines. Across his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, he has contributed as an interior defender in regular-season and postseason play, including appearances in two Super Bowls.
Team Highlights
Givens has been part of multiple deep playoff runs with the 49ers, including the Super Bowl LIV appearance in his rookie season. His subsequent re-signings in 2022 and 2024 reflect sustained trust from the organization. While individual sack and tackle totals have varied by season, his presence in the defensive line rotation has been a constant.
Kevin Givens Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Kevin Givens’ immediate family is limited. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where his high school career took shape. Further details about parents and siblings have not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
On March 11, 2025, Kevin Givens re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers, continuing his tenure with the franchise. He was placed on injured reserve to begin the season due to a pectoral injury suffered during the preseason, delaying his on-field debut.
Givens was activated on October 18, ahead of San Francisco’s Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. His return added veteran depth to the 49ers’ defensive front as the team navigated the middle portion of its schedule.
Looking ahead, Givens is expected to serve in a rotational role along the defensive line, providing pass-rush support and run defense. His experience from two prior Super Bowl runs positions him as a steady contributor as San Francisco pursues another postseason opportunity.