He accepted a scholarship from Penn State University and became a starter at outside linebacker as a true freshman for the last 5 games of the season, which was a difficult achievement in a Joe Paterno coached team.
What he lacked in size, he compensated with his speed and instincts, finishing with 38 tackles (3 for loss), 2 sacks, 2 passes defensed and 2 fumble recoveries.
[2] As a junior, he started every game for a team that finished ranked third in the nation, posting 41 tackles (5 for loss), 2 sacks and 2 interceptions.
His best moment came when he was named the defensive MVP of the 1992 Fiesta Bowl in a 47-17 win against the University of Tennessee, after causing two crucial turnovers, including a fumble return for a 23-yard touchdown.
Givens was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (213th overall) of the 1993 NFL draft, after dropping because he was considered undersized for the linebacker position.
In 1998 he signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was voted as a special teams captain in the two seasons he played with the club.