Givens was a member of the Penn State Nittany Lions for five seasons, redshirting his true freshman season. He was named the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team after making 26 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in his first season.[1] As a redshirt sophomore, Givens recorded 23 tackles with four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.[3] Givens finished his redshirt junior season with 33 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. After the season Givens, who had already completed his undergraduate degree, announced that he would forgo his final season in order to enter the 2019 NFL draft.[4]
In Week 7 against the New England Patriots in 2020, Givens recorded his first career sack on Jarrett Stidham late in the fourth quarter during the 33–6 win.[10] Givens was placed on a roster exemption on December 12, 2020,[11] and was reinstated to the active roster five days later.[12]
On September 25, 2021, Givens was placed on injured reserve.[13] He was activated on October 30.[14]
On March 10, 2022, Givens re-signed with the 49ers.[15]
Over the course of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Givens appeared in 30 regular season games, starting 12 of them. During that period, he appeared in six playoff games, including a Super Bowl appearance.[16][17][18]
On March 14, 2024, Givens re-signed with the 49ers.[19] In 8 games (1 start) for San Francisco, he posted 11 combined tackles and 3+1⁄2 sacks. On December 4, Givens was placed on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral tear in Week 13.[20]
