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. Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall and listed at 285 lb (129 kg), Givens has carved out a role as a steady interior presence on the 49ers defensive line.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Givens developed into a college standout through hard work and consistency. Over the course of his NFL tenure, he has appeared in regular season games, postseason matchups, and a Super Bowl, building a reputation as a reliable rotational defender.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Givens was born on March 1, 1997, in Newark, New Jersey. He was raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he attended Altoona Area High School. Givens developed his love for the game in a region with a strong football culture, learning the fundamentals of defensive line play while growing up in central Pennsylvania.
At Altoona Area High School, Givens played defensive end and fullback on the football team. His senior season marked his breakout year, as he was named first-team All-State on defense. On offense, he added 317 rushing yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating his two-way versatility and physicality.
Those high school performances drew attention from college programs, and Givens ultimately committed to Penn State, where he would develop into one of the Big Ten Conference’s most disruptive interior linemen.
Path to American Football
Givens joined the Penn State Nittany Lions program and began his collegiate career in 2015. Following standard development protocols, he redshirted his true freshman season to add size and refine his technique. The patience paid off, as he quickly emerged as a key contributor on the defensive line.
After his redshirt freshman campaign, Givens earned Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team honors, recording 26 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. That production established him as a foundational piece of the Nittany Lions defensive front and set the stage for an impressive college trajectory.
Through three more seasons at Penn State, Givens continued to produce. As a redshirt sophomore, he tallied 23 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His redshirt junior season brought 33 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Having already completed his undergraduate degree, Givens announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility 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 to the active roster was not straightforward. He was waived at the end of training camp during final roster cuts, only to be re-signed to the team’s practice squad on September 1.
Givens remained on the practice squad for most of the fall before the 49ers promoted him to the active roster on December 28, 2019. He finished his rookie season as part of a 49ers team that reached Super Bowl LIV, where they were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 31–20.
NFL Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Givens continued his development in 2020, seeing increased opportunities along the defensive line. In Week 7 against the New England Patriots, he recorded his first career sack, taking down Jarrett Stidham late in the fourth quarter of a 33–6 victory. The milestone validated the work he had put in during his first full offseason.
That December, Givens was placed on a roster exemption and was reinstated to the active roster five days later. In 2021, he began the season on a strong note before being placed on injured reserve on September 25. He was activated on October 30 and returned to contribute for the remainder of the year, continuing his steady growth within the 49ers defensive rotation.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022–Present)
On March 10, 2022, Kevin Givens re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers, solidifying his place in the team’s long-term plans. Over the course of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he appeared in 30 regular season games, starting 12 of them. During that same stretch, he played in six postseason contests, including another Super Bowl appearance with the franchise.
On March 14, 2024, Givens again re-signed with the 49ers. In eight games with one start that season, he posted 11 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks. His campaign was cut short on December 4, when he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral tear in Week 13.
On March 11, 2025, Givens re-signed with the 49ers for another season. He was placed on injured reserve to begin the year due to a pectoral injury suffered in the preseason, then was activated on October 18 ahead of San Francisco’s Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Driving Style and Strengths
Givens is known for his quick first step, low pad level, and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield as an interior pass rusher. His combination of leverage and power allows him to hold up against the run while also collapsing pockets on passing downs. Within the 49ers defensive scheme, his versatility and motor have made him a trusted rotation piece.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kevin Givens’ most notable career moments are his two Super Bowl appearances with the San Francisco 49ers, his first career sack against the New England Patriots in 2020, and his consistent production across multiple postseason runs. Through the 2025 season, he has tallied 92 total tackles, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 3 pass deflections, according to his official NFL statistics.
Kevin Givens Career Wins
Kevin Givens has built a reputation as a dependable contributor rather than a headline-grabbing stat-sheet stuffer, and his wins reflect the team success he has been part of with the San Francisco 49ers. His postseason résumé includes multiple deep playoff runs and Super Bowl appearances.
San Francisco 49ers Highlights
Givens joined a 49ers team that reached Super Bowl LIV at the end of his rookie season. He later contributed to another Super Bowl run during the 2022 and 2023 playoff stretch, appearing in six postseason games across those two seasons. His ability to play meaningful snaps in January football underscored his value to the franchise.
Other Performances
Across his NFL career, Givens has provided the 49ers with quality interior defensive line play, highlighted by his first career sack against the New England Patriots in 2020 and a 3.5-sack output during the 2024 season before his pectoral injury. He has also contributed in regular season wins throughout his time in San Francisco.
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 football journey began.
Personal Life
Kevin Givens focuses much of his public life on his football career with the San Francisco 49ers. Details about his spouse and children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Kevin Givens entered the 2025 season with the San Francisco 49ers after re-signing on March 11, 2025. His year began on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury suffered during the preseason, a setback that delayed his return to game action.
Givens was activated on October 18, ahead of San Francisco’s Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, allowing him to rejoin the defensive rotation in the middle of the schedule. His return added experience and depth to the interior of the 49ers defensive line.
Looking ahead, Givens’ role in the 2025 season centers on being a reliable rotational defensive tackle, contributing against the run and providing interior pass rush. His familiarity with the 49ers system, his postseason experience, and his track record of steady production position him as a key piece for San Francisco’s defensive plans.
